HH Sayyid Asa’ad Leads Oman’s Delegation at ASEAN-GCC Summit

Kuala Lumpur: On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Asa'ad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, headed the Sultanate of Oman's delegation at the ASEAN-GCC Summit, which commenced today in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Upon his arrival at the summit venue, HH Sayyid Asa'ad was received by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. According to Oman News Agency, in his opening remarks, the Malaysian Prime Minister emphasized that the summit reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the robust ties between the two blocs, noting that growing mutual investments demonstrate deepening trust. He stated that ASEAN-GCC relations will be pivotal in fostering interregional cooperation, building resilience, and ensuring sustainable prosperity. He expressed hope for productive discussions that pave the way for tangible initiatives within an expanding and sustainable partnership. On his turn, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, delivered a speech highlighting that the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh successfully laid the foundation for comprehensive cooperation. He stressed the need to build on this momentum by implementing the Strategic Cooperation Framework (2024-2028), which serves as a roadmap for institutionalizing this partnership and translating it into practical mechanisms to achieve shared progress. He underscored the significance of this partnership, noting that the 16 member states collectively represent a massive economic and demographic force, with a combined GDP nearing $6 trillion and a population of around 740 million. Their shared maritime and trade routes rank among the most vital globally, lending their cooperation a geopolitical and strategic dimension with direct implications for regional stability and global economic growth, he added. He pointed out that the GCC was ASEAN's seventh-largest trading partner in 2023, with total trade reaching $130.7 billion-a figure expected to grow by an average of 30%, reaching $180 billion by 2032. He explained that the volume of untapped opportunities remains vast, with current achievements affirming the right trajectory. He further added that the ASEAN-GCC merchandise trade exceeded $122 billion in 2023, alongside steadily rising Gulf investments in Asian markets, reflecting mutual confidence and deepening economic integration. These trends, he noted, highlight the potential for further growth through incentivized economic policies. He emphasized the importance of advancing economic, trade, investment, and technical cooperation, expressing optimism for progress in free trade agreement negotiations. Such efforts, he added, would unlock investment opportunities, bolster regional supply chains, and enhance collaboration in energy security and climate change. The summit addresses key topics, including strengthening ASEAN-GCC economic partnerships and cooperation in security, food, energy, and climate change, alongside advancing technical, educational, and cultural collaboration. The event aims to deepen strategic cooperation between GCC and ASEAN nations across economic, investment, political, and cultural spheres while addressing issues of mutual interest to all participating states.