Riyadh Hosts Landmark GCC-ASEAN Summit

Riyadh Hosts Landmark GCC-ASEAN Summit

A historic maiden summit between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is set to convene on Friday with full participation from Southeast Asia leaders.

The summit is being held against the backdrop of increasing regional and international interest and competition by major powers in the Southeast Asian region, given its strategic location and significance.

The summit will elevate cooperation and coordination in various areas between the GCC and ASEAN to a “strategic level” and explore new opportunities on multiple fronts.

Leaders attending the summit are slated to discuss ways to enhance and expand cooperation into new and emerging areas, such as green and digital economies, a spokesperson from the Singaporean Foreign Ministry told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Relations between the two regions have gained momentum, with noticeable development and effectiveness.

All GCC member states have signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

Bahrain was the first Gulf country to join the treaty, signing it in November 2019 in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

Subsequently, other Gulf states followed suit in the past year, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the Southeast Asian region, particularly as it aligns with the principles of the UN Charter.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin