Riyadh Assembly Goals To Increase GCC-ASEAN Strategic Cooperation Earlier than Friday’s Summit

By Ghadi Joudah

A gathering on relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations was held on Wednesday on the Al-Faisaliah Resort forward of a summit involving the 2 blocs on Friday.

Organized by the Gulf Analysis Heart, the assembly was attended by GCC and ASEAN representatives, members of the enterprise group and journalists.

Among the many subjects mentioned have been political, safety, and financial cooperation. 

Though the GCC and ASEAN established relations again in 1990, this would be the first summit between the 2 blocs.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Uwaisheg, GCC assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiations, mentioned: “The timing of this participation is essential, particularly when it comes to the occasions and circumstances the area goes by means of.” 

The primary purpose of this assembly is to spice up strategic cooperation between leaders from the Gulf and Asia, he added.

“The commerce trade of products (with ASEAN international locations) exceeds $110 billion, representing a excessive portion of the quantity of international commerce between GCC international locations and others,” he mentioned.

Abdulaziz Sagr, chairman of the Gulf Analysis Heart, advised Arab Information {that a} memorandum of understanding between the Federation of Gulf Chambers and ASEAN will improve cooperation.

“In January of 2024, we’ll organize one other closed assembly between the Gulf and Asia so that there’s a follow-up from the upcoming summit on Friday,” he mentioned.

“There’s a huge and really actual potential that have to be exploited. ASEAN occupies an essential strategic location between the international locations of the Arabian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, international locations of Southeast China, and the China Sea.”

The Strait of Malacca, situated between Indonesia and Malaysia, “is taken into account the second most essential for oil commerce after the Strait of Hormuz. This additionally offers nice significance to the logistics for sea site visitors and maritime safety,” he mentioned.

Rommel Romato, cost d’affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, mentioned the Kingdom and GCC group “have essential regional companions similar to the USA, China, and Central Asia.”

Romato added: “We will say that the GCC is an epicenter of development and alter. There are a whole lot of modifications right here not solely within the Kingdom however within the neighboring international locations. So, this presents a whole lot of alternatives for everybody — not just for this area however for the world.” 

He mentioned that the Philippines is equally dedicated to creating the proposed political and financial collaborations a actuality.

“We wish to promote cooperation in commerce and funding, healthcare, tourism, and training,” Romato mentioned.

He mentioned he appreciated the truth that Saudi Arabia has offered employment to employees from Southeast Asia who want jobs and assist for his or her households. 

“We’re very grateful for that. There’s a must strengthen our safety cooperation,” Romato added.