Latest news with #GCCSupremeCouncil
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
GCC open to green energy collaboration with ASEAN: Crown Prince
KUALA LUMPUR: Energy security and environmental sustainability are among the GCC's foremost priorities of international cooperation, said His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Tuesday. Speaking at the second GCC–ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled praised the progress ASEAN nations have made in the field of green energy. He expressed the GCC's readiness to support climate goals through clean energy cooperation and proposed strategic partnerships in food security and digital infrastructure to strengthen resilience and innovation. The Crown Prince also proposed designating 2026 as a "GCC–ASEAN Cultural Convergence Year," featuring cultural weeks, forums, and exhibitions, alongside national cultural days in both regions. He also called for initiatives to empower youth and women through training, skill development, and entrepreneurship programs. A key moment The summit was held under the joint chairmanship of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, representing His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and current President of the GCC Supreme Council; Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, current Chair of ASEAN; and leaders of ASEAN member states. His Highness noted that both blocs possess vast geographical, demographic, and strategic assets that qualify them to play an influential global role, especially amid accelerating economic changes, security challenges, climate risks, and technological revolutions that demand new patterns of cooperation. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled described the summit as a key moment in strengthening ties between the GCC and ASEAN, and as a reaffirmation of their collective commitment to building a strategic partnership rooted in mutual interests, international law, and inclusive sustainable development. He recalled the first summit held in Riyadh in October 2023, calling it a successful launchpad that helped shape the current strategic cooperation framework (2024–2028). He said this serves as a roadmap for institutionalizing the partnership and translating it into practical tools for progress. His Highness highlighted the combined economic and demographic power of the two blocs, with a total GDP nearing $6 trillion and a population of around 740 million. "The importance of this partnership lies in the fact that both sides together represent a tremendous economic and human force," he said. "We are connected by some of the world's most vital maritime and trade routes, giving our cooperation a geopolitical and strategic dimension that directly impacts regional stability and global economic growth." Economic achievements He welcomed the economic achievements since the first summit, particularly in trade and investment, and called for keeping pace with developments in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He noted that the GCC became ASEAN's seventh-largest trading partner in 2023, with total trade reaching $130.7 billion. He projected a 30 percent increase to $180 billion by 2032. Bilateral trade in goods surpassed $122 billion in 2023, with rising Gulf investments in Asia reflecting growing trust and economic complementarity. He urged continued efforts to enhance cooperation in economic, investment, trade, and technical sectors, including positive progress in free trade negotiations and policies to support investment and regional supply chains. Security cooperation His Highness reiterated the GCC's commitment to constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs. He called for enhanced cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism, organized crime, and for stronger crisis response mechanisms. His Highness emphasized energy security and environmental sustainability as top priorities and praised ASEAN's progress in renewable energy. He expressed GCC readiness to exchange expertise in clean energy, green hydrogen, and low-carbon technologies to support the Paris Climate Agreement goals. In light of global crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, he proposed strategic partnerships in agriculture, food innovation, and supply chain resilience. He called for cooperation in building an inclusive digital economy and infrastructure, including sharing best practices in e-commerce and digital transformation. Palestine, regional issues His Highness expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. He reaffirmed the GCC's firm support for the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. He called on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities to halt aggression, protect civilians, and revive a credible peace process based on international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. He also welcomed ASEAN's supportive stance toward Palestinian rights. On Syria, His Highness welcomed recent positive developments and reaffirmed the GCC's support for preserving Syria's sovereignty and enabling stability and reconstruction for the Syrian people. Expo 2030 His Highness emphasized that the success of the summit would not be measured by declarations alone, but by the translation of goals into tangible results. He proposed establishing a high-level follow-up mechanism supervised by both blocs' Secretariats to regularly report on progress. He concluded by inviting ASEAN countries to participate in Expo 2030 in Riyadh, describing it as a global platform for showcasing sustainable partnerships, future technologies, and economic and cultural openness. His Highness expressed appreciation to Malaysia once again and wished the summit great success in achieving its noble objectives, and for continued prosperity in GCC–ASEAN relations. — KUNA
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
GCC renews call for resolution of Palestine and Syria issues
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its firm stance on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities. Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who is also President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, said the GCC underscores the fundamental priority of establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 'We urge the international community to take responsibility and adopt effective measures to end the aggression, protect civilians, end the occupation, and launch a genuine peace process based on legitimate international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative,' the Crown Prince said. His Royal Highness made the remarks at the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit here today. Sheikh Sabah Khaled also reiterated that the GCC values the positions and support of its partners in ASEAN and China for the Palestinian cause, and stressed the importance of continuing this support across various international forums. On the situation in Syria, the GCC welcomed the positive developments and expressed support for all efforts to achieve security and stability. 'The GCC also supports all efforts to preserve Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby restoring the security and dignity of our fellow Syrian people and enabling them to resume national reconstruction,' the Crown Prince said. The summit was a new initiative by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, aimed at strengthening trilateral economic cooperation between ASEAN, the GCC and China. It was attended by leaders from ASEAN, GCC member states and China.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
GCC renews call for resolution of Palestine, Syria issues
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its firm stance on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities. Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who is also President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, said the GCC underscores the fundamental priority of establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 'We urge the international community to take responsibility and adopt effective measures to end the aggression, protect civilians, end the occupation, and launch a genuine peace process based on legitimate international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative,' the Crown Prince said. His Royal Highness made the remarks at the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit here today. Sheikh Sabah Khaled also reiterated that the GCC values the positions and support of its partners in ASEAN and China for the Palestinian cause, and stressed the importance of continuing this support across various international forums. On the situation in Syria, the GCC welcomed the positive developments and expressed support for all efforts to achieve security and stability. 'The GCC also supports all efforts to preserve Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby restoring the security and dignity of our fellow Syrian people and enabling them to resume national reconstruction,' the Crown Prince said. The summit was a new initiative by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, aimed at strengthening trilateral economic cooperation between ASEAN, the GCC and China. It was attended by leaders from ASEAN, GCC member states and China.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
GCC stresses importance of cooperation with ASEAN, China in facing global challenges
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) acknowledges the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation and forging strategic partnerships with ASEAN and China, given the current international situation marked by economic challenges, environmental threats, and the need to accelerate geopolitical transformation. Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who is also President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, said the GCC-China and ASEAN relationships have become viable and successful models of cooperation based on shared interests, expertise, and the development of long-term institutional frameworks. His Royal Highness said the first GCC-China Summit held in Riyadh in 2022 was a strategic turning point that established a comprehensive partnership to address economic, technological, environmental and developmental issues. Meanwhile, the first GCC-ASEAN Summit, held in Riyadh in 2023, served as a successful platform for cooperation and integration between the two sides. 'Today, the first GCC-ASEAN-China Summit held here is a natural evolution of the initiatives launched in Riyadh and has opened new horizons for trilateral integration, linking the world's two most dynamic and effective regions in the global economy, value chains and production,' the Crown Prince said at the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit here today. Sheikh Sabah Khaled explained that the GCC highly values the launch of the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Dialogue with China for the 2023-2027 period and believes it lays a solid foundation to enhance cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, technology, education, health, artificial intelligence and scientific research. The GCC also emphasised the importance of the 2024-2028 Strategic Cooperation Framework between the GCC and ASEAN as a platform for establishing institutional mechanisms to strengthen this partnership, which has ultimately formed a trilateral framework between the GCC, ASEAN and China, His Royal Highness said. Economic indicators show steady growth in GCC trade with ASEAN and China. Total trade between the GCC and China reached approximately USD298 billion in 2023, while foreign direct investment between the two sides amounted to around USD19 billion in the same year. Trade with ASEAN surpassed USD122 billion in 2023, reflecting strong momentum and a partnership that should be further expanded and developed. 'In this context, we stress the importance of concluding negotiations for a free trade agreement between the GCC and China and intensifying efforts to facilitate trade and investment in accordance with our national and regional frameworks,' His Royal Highness said. Sheikh Sabah Khaled added that the GCC also calls for the removal of barriers that limit export flows between the GCC, ASEAN and China to accelerate investment integration and improve market access among the three parties. His Royal Highness also underlined the importance of the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum as a platform to explore opportunities in investment, innovation, and integration in infrastructure, green energy, the digital economy, and other areas of mutual interest. The Crown Prince said the GCC's strategic position and resources in the global economy carry a shared responsibility to develop integrated policies that enhance food and water security, promote cooperation in clean energy, and support innovation and sustainability — including alignment with the Belt and Road Initiative and the national development visions of GCC member states. The summit was a new initiative by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, aimed at strengthening trilateral economic cooperation among ASEAN, the GCC and China. It was attended by leaders from ASEAN, GCC member states and China.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Anwar: Asean, GCC set to launch FTA talks, aiming for stronger trade ties
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — Prime Minister and Asean 2025 Chair, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, announced today that the 10-member bloc plans to launch free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. He said both Asean and the GCC had engaged through a series of sessions and discussions at the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. '(We had) the first meeting two years ago in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was more of a formality to introduce the programme, and we went through some specific areas of collaboration,' he said at the press conference at the end of the Asean-GCC Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today. Earlier, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said the GCC is now Asean's seventh-largest trading partner, with total trade reaching US$130.7 billion (US$1 = RM4.23) in 2023. 'We aim to increase this figure to US$180 billion by 2032, as there remains substantial untapped potential in bilateral trade and investment,' he said. The Crown Prince, who also presides over the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, delivered his remarks at the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit. He also noted a rise in foreign investment into Asian markets, calling it a sign of investor confidence and long-term economic integration. Separately, Malaysia on Monday signed a joint statement to begin talks on a Malaysia-GCC Free Trade Agreement (MGFTA). Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the MGFTA would reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers, promote business mobility, and improve regulatory cooperation. He expressed confidence that trade, valued at US$22 billion last year, would continue to grow. today. — Bernama
