Key points from GCC-ASEAN summit

The following are the key points agreed in the Joint Statement of the Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held in Riyadh on Friday, October 20th, 2023.

1. Joining efforts to achieve peace, security, stability and prosperity, through mutual respect and cooperation between countries and regional blocs to achieve development and progress, and to preserve the international order based on rules and adherence to international law and the Charter of the United Nations. This to include the principles of good neighbourliness, respect for independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, refraining from using or threatening force and settling differences or conflicts by peaceful means.

2. Recognising the importance of the oceans and seas as a key factor in driving growth and prosperity in the region. The leaders emphasised the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and air transit, and other lawful uses of the seas, and the unhindered use of the seas for legitimate maritime trade.They also agreed to promote peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with universally accepted principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the relevant standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

3. Welcoming the “Cooperation Framework between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the ASEAN Association” for the period (2024-2028), which defines the measures and cooperation activities that will be jointly implemented between the two sides in areas of common interest for mutual benefit. These include political and security dialogue trade, investment, communication between peoples, education, culture, tourism, media and sports.

4. Exploring ways to cooperate regarding the partnership’s main economic priorities, which are: enhancing the integration of regional markets; sustainability and decarbonisation; digital transformation and inclusivity, including micro, small and medium enterprises, public-private sector engagement and people-to-people ties.

5. Welcoming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, highlighting the importance of organising regional and international exhibitions to revitalise economic and cultural exchanges between the Gulf and Southeast Asia regions.

6. Building on the cultural diversity, openness and rich history of the two regions, and emphasizing that tolerance and peaceful coexistence are among the most important values and principles in relations between nations and cultures.

7. Supporting both regions’ efforts toward a digitally-enabled economy that is open, secure, inclusive and sustainable, and to further leverage ICT to enable innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as new technological developments including the Internet of Things, 5G Networks, Artificial Intelligence and smart cities.