Kuala Lumpur: Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and China have released a joint statement following the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The statement outlined their commitment to strengthening economic ties, promoting regional stability, and addressing shared challenges through multilateral cooperation.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the summit emphasized the historical and economic linkages among ASEAN, China, and the GCC, reaffirming their collective desire to enhance relationships guided by shared values and international law. The leaders underscored the importance of regionalism, multilateralism, and ASEAN centrality in fostering peace, security, and prosperity.
The joint statement highlighted the need for greater economic integration and collaboration. It called for enhanced cooperation in free trade, industrial resilience, and sustainable development. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the World Trade Organization and stressed the importance of a rules-based multilateral trading system to protect businesses and consumers.
The summit also addressed pressing issues in the Middle East. The leaders condemned attacks on civilians, called for a ceasefire, and urged all parties to ensure humanitarian aid access in conflict areas, particularly Gaza. They expressed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on pre-1967 borders and acknowledged efforts by Qatar, China, and the international community to mediate and facilitate aid.
In addition to economic and political cooperation, the joint statement emphasized connectivity, energy security, digital transformation, and food security. The leaders agreed to promote high-quality infrastructure development, sustainable energy transitions, and digital innovation across regions. They also highlighted the potential for cooperation in agriculture and food security to address global challenges.
The summit concluded with a commitment to foster people-to-people exchanges, cultural understanding, and educational cooperation among the regions. The leaders pledged to implement the joint statement through mutually agreed activities and existing mechanisms, ensuring that their collaboration translates into tangible benefits for their peoples and communities.
The ASEAN-China-GCC Summit marks a significant step towards deeper integration and cooperation between Southeast Asia, the Gulf region, and China, setting a framework for future collaboration in addressing global and regional challenges.