By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) seeks to forge closer economic ties with Asean to increase trade to US$180 billion (RM759.3 billion) by 2032.
GCC chair cum the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said both blocs hold immense potential, with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly US$6 trillion (RM25.3 trillion) and a population of 740 million people.
“The GCC was Asean’s seventh largest trading partner in 2023, with trade volume reaching US$130.7 billion (RM550.2 billion). We project this to grow to US$180 billion by 2032,” he said when delivering the opening address during the second Asean-GCC Summit today.
His Royal Highness noted that progress on free trade agreement negotiations and collaboration in supply chains and investment would be key to achieving this target.
Sheikh Sabah Khaled also called for stronger cooperation on renewable energy and climate action, pledging the GCC’s readiness to share expertise in clean energy, green hydrogen, and low-carbon technologies in tandem with the Paris Agreement's goals.
Earlier, when opening the Asean-GCC summit, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim underscored the growing importance of this extraordinary partnership, amid mounting economic and geopolitical challenges.
“A stronger Asean-GCC relationship will be key to enhancing inter-regional collaboration, building resilience, and securing sustainable prosperity for our people,” he said.
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Palestinians inspect the damage at the Dar Al-Arqam school, where displaced people shelter, after it was hit by an Israeli strike in Gaza City, Palsetine on April 4, 2025. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
Palestinian state formation
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince reaffirmed the GCC’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, condemning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and urging the international community to act decisively to halt the violence.
“We express grave concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The GCC reaffirms its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“We urge the international community to act decisively to end the violence and revive a peace process grounded in international law and the Arab Peace Initiative,” he said, a sentiment which was later echoed by Anwar, who reaffirmed his support for the Palestinian cause and called for an end to the violence in Gaza.
Meanwhile, His Royal Highness proposed that 2026 be designated the Year of GCC-Asean Cultural Unity to foster closer people-to-people ties through cultural programmes.
To ensure the summit's outcomes are realised, Sheikh Sabah Khaled recommended establishing a high-level monitoring mechanism jointly overseen by the GCC and Asean secretariats, with regular progress reporting.
His Royal Highness concluded by inviting all Asean member states to participate in Expo 2030 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, describing it as a platform to showcase models of sustainable global cooperation.
Among the Asean leaders attending today’s event are the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Vietnam Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính; Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Also attending are Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão as an observer and Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.
Meanwhile, attending the summit from the GCC were the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Bahrain’s Crown Prince cum Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik al Said, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud, and the United Arab Emirates' Supreme Council Member cum the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, will also be in attendance.
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chairs the second Asean–Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, as part of the 46th Asean Summit, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, 2025. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
