Latest news with #AbdelAzizAbuHamadAluwaisheg
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
GCC: Myanmar crisis needs concrete solution
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has expressed concern over the humanitarian and political situation in Myanmar, noting that limited progress has been made in restoring peace since the military coup in 2021. While acknowledging the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, GCC Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiations, Dr Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, nevertheless stressed that the international community must not remain silent and called for more concrete solutions. 'We are extremely concerned about what's happening in Myanmar,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview on Saturday. He is currently in the capital to attend the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, which are set to take place alongside the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 26 and 27. ASEAN's response to the Myanmar crisis has centred around the Five-Point Consensus adopted in 2021, which includes a call for an immediate cessation of violence and dialogue among all parties. Aluwaisheg said the GCC had consistently raised the Myanmar issue in past meetings with ASEAN and reaffirmed its support for broader multilateral efforts. 'The UN (United Nations) is trying to play a role, but I think their efforts are being frustrated by the Myanmar government. The OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) has also been trying to play a role,' he said. He also emphasised the need for the safe and dignified return of displaced Rohingya refugees, many of whom remain in neighbouring countries, and encouraged stronger international support for the UN's ongoing efforts in Bangladesh. Myanmar's deepening crisis has continued to pose a major test for ASEAN. As Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia has been taking a key role in facilitating constructive engagement with stakeholders in finding a sustainable solution to the crisis.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
GCC slams Israeli blockade on Gaza as war crime ahead of Asean summit
KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 -- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiations, Dr. Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, speaks to Bernama in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has lambasted the ongoing Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, describing the actions of the Zionist regime as a "war crime". GCC assistant secretary-general for political and negotiation affairs, Dr Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, said Israeli forces have used the blockade to influence political outcomes and that it has been a major cause of starvation and famine among the Gazan population. "They (Israel) try to ethnically cleanse Gaza; this is a war crime," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview here Saturday (May 24) ahead of the 46th Asean Summit. Abdel Aziz urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an immediate injunction compelling Israel to lift the blockade, criticising Tel Aviv for its failure to comply with ICJ and United Nations directives. Speaking on the consensus between GCC and Asean about the situation in Gaza, Abdel Aziz said during the first GCC-Asean meeting in Riyadh, both parties had a full agreement on four key points. "First, the need for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire. Second, the importance of delivering aid, all kinds of aid, to the besieged population in Gaza. Third, the need to allow the UN and UN relief agencies to do their job in Gaza, not block them from entering Gaza. "And finally, the fact that in 2023, we have recognised the role Saudi Arabia was playing in trying to address the underlying issue of Israel-Palestine through the two-state solution," he remarked. He said that the GCC also recognises the role other GCC countries have played in the negotiations to bring about a ceasefire and exchange of hostages. "This is a combined role that the state of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are working on. So, this is what we agreed to in 2023," he said. Abdel Aziz also expressed hope that the Asean-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur will reach a similar consensus to what both parties had agreed two years ago in Riyadh. Malaysia is hosting the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 26 to 27 as part of its 2025 Asean chairmanship under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability". In conjunction with the summit, two key high-level meetings, namely the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Summit, will also take place, marking an important platform for expanded regional and inter-regional cooperation. - Bernama
Barnama
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
GCC: Myanmar Crisis Needs Concrete Solution
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiations Affairs, Dr. Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, speaks to Bernama in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). By Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has expressed concern over the humanitarian and political situation in Myanmar, noting that limited progress has been made in restoring peace since the military coup in 2021. While acknowledging the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, GCC Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiation Affairs, Dr Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, nevertheless stressed that the international community must not remain silent and called for more concrete solutions. 'We are extremely concerned about what's happening in Myanmar,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview on Saturday. He is currently in the capital to attend the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, which are set to take place alongside the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 26 and 27. ASEAN's response to the Myanmar crisis has centred around the Five-Point Consensus adopted in 2021, which includes a call for an immediate cessation of violence and dialogue among all parties. Aluwaisheg said the GCC had consistently raised the Myanmar issue in past meetings with ASEAN and reaffirmed its support for broader multilateral efforts. 'The UN (United Nations) is trying to play a role, but I think their efforts are being frustrated by the Myanmar government. The OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) has also been trying to play a role,' he said. He also emphasised the need for the safe and dignified return of displaced Rohingya refugees, many of whom remain in neighbouring countries, and encouraged stronger international support for the UN's ongoing efforts in Bangladesh.
Barnama
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
GCC Slams Israeli Blockade On Gaza As War Crime Ahead Of ASEAN Summit
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiations, Dr. Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, speaks to Bernama in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). By Noor Azuki Fahme Ismail KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has lambasted the ongoing Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, describing the actions of the Zionist regime as a 'war crime'. GCC Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Negotiations, Dr Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheq, said Israeli forces have used the blockade to influence the political outcomes and that it has been a major cause of starvation and famine among the Gazan population. 'They (Israel) try to ethnically cleanse Gaza; this is a war crime,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview here today ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit. Abdel Aziz urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an immediate injunction compelling Israel to lift the blockade, criticising Tel Aviv for its failure to comply with the ICJ and United Nations directives. In a recent statement, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 2.1 million people in Gaza are trapped, starved, and under bombardment, while essential supplies, including food, medicine, fuel, and life-saving equipment, remain stranded at crossing points due to the Israeli blockade. The organisation added that the situation unfolding in Gaza reflects 'an utter disregard for human life.' Speaking on the consensus between GCC and ASEAN about the situation in Gaza, Abdel Aziz said during the first GCC-ASEAN meeting in Riyadh, both parties had a full agreement on four key points. 'First, the need for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire. Second, the importance of delivering aid, all kinds of aid, to the besieged population in Gaza. Third, the need to allow the UN and UN relief agencies to do their job in Gaza, not block them from entering Gaza.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN-GCC-China Summit to launch new phase of trilateral cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: The first-ever ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit marks a significant step towards institutionalising strategic trilateral cooperation in various fields among the three partners, said the GCC Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiations, Dr Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg. He said the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China summit, scheduled for May 27, builds upon the momentum of the second ASEAN-GCC Summit and reflects shared interests among the parties, which collectively represent over 40 per cent of the GCC's external trade. 'We can see that the potential is great to work together – the three of us, ASEAN, GCC and China – especially on trade and investment, security, political dialogue, education, and energy cooperation. 'China is a very close partner of the GCC and also a close partner of ASEAN, so it made a lot of sense to have this trilateral summit,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here. Aluwaisheg highlighted the evolving dynamics of ASEAN-GCC relations, noting that bilateral trade between the two regional groupings exceeded US$150 billion annually, making ASEAN one of the GCC's top trading partners. 'ASEAN is a very important partner for the GCC... individual members of ASEAN also have special relationships, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei,' he said, adding that the growing cooperation among the three parties is also evident in the area of security, particularly maritime collaboration. Delving further into maritime cooperation between ASEAN, the GCC and China, he acknowledged the varying levels of involvement among ASEAN countries in existing security arrangements under the Combined Maritime Forces – a 34-nation coalition dedicated to ensuring maritime stability. He noted that maritime instability affects not only the Gulf states, but also key Asian trading partners. 'Economically, we (ASEAN-GCC-China) are extremely important players, the three groups. We recognise China's constructive role in East Asia, ASEAN's role in Southeast Asia, and we also believe that the GCC is playing an important role for security and stability in our region. 'For instance, we're all affected by challenges to maritime security. It affects China's trade with Europe because it goes through the Red Sea, (and) our region. We are affected by it, and all the Asian countries are affected by it. We need to work together,' he said. As the trilateral summit unfolds, he expressed optimism that a formal mechanism could be adopted to ensure the implementation of its outcomes. 'Hopefully, at the end of the summit, we'll agree on a mechanism on how to follow up the outcome... so that we will make sure that the wishes of the heads of state and government are implemented,' he said. As the chair and host of ASEAN 2025, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', Malaysia will host the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings at the KLCC from May 26 to 27. In conjunction with the summit, two key high-level meetings – the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit – will also take place, marking an important platform for expanded regional and inter-regional cooperation.
