Opening of the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ASEAN and GCC countries at the second ASEAN-GCC Summit. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Within the framework of the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, on the morning of May 27, the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit opened at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Malaysia.

In his opening speech, Prime Minister of the host country Anwar Ibrahim - the country currently holding the rotating ASEAN Chair - expressed his honor that Malaysia was co-chairing and hosting the conference.

Mr. Anwar Ibrahim affirmed that cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC blocs is built on a solid foundation established at the first Summit in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) in 2023.

The presence of 10 ASEAN members, Timor Leste and 6 GCC members at this conference is a clear demonstration of the two regions' shared commitment to promoting and strengthening strong relations.

According to the Malaysian leader, this year’s ASEAN theme is “Inclusive and Sustainable,” reflecting the aspiration for equitable, people-centered, and future-oriented growth. This theme is in line with the shared values of both ASEAN and the GCC of stability through unity and prosperity in the spirit of cooperation as well as resilience through shared responsibility.

On behalf of the GCC Supreme Council, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al- Khalid Al-Sabah delivered a speech and chaired discussions at the conference.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Government to attend the Conference.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ASEAN and GCC countries at the second ASEAN-GCC Summit. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The GCC was established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1981 and is a political and economic union of six members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The region is known for many of the fastest growing economies in the world.

In 2023, the GCC will be ASEAN’s seventh largest trading partner, with two-way trade reaching $130.7 billion. Investment between the two regions is also on the rise, reflecting growing confidence in the long-term prospects of both blocs.

Prime Minister Anwar affirmed that the ASEAN-GCC partnership is becoming more important than ever, especially in the context that both sides are facing complex global movements with challenges of economic and geopolitical instability./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/khai-mac-hoi-nghi-cap-cao-asean-hoi-dong-hop-tac-vung-vinh-post1040933.vnp