GCC – ASEAN leaders statement on Gaza

During the GCC-ASEAN Summit on 20th October 2023, the leaders of the six GCC countries and the ten ASEAN countries exchanged views and expressed grave concerns over the developments in the Middle East.

They agreed :

To condemn all attacks against civilians and call for a durable ceasefire and for all concerned parties to ensure the most effective and efficient access for humanitarian aid, and relief supplies and other basic necessities and essential services, as well as the restoration of electricity, water, and to allow the unhindered delivery of fuel, food, and medicine throughout Gaza.

To call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them and to abide by international humanitarian law, particularly the principles and provisions of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949.

To call for the immediate and unconditional release of civilian hostages and detainees, especially women, children, the sick and the elderly.

To urge all parties concerned to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict with a view to realising the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

To support the initiative of Saudi Arabia, the European Union and the League of Arab States to revive the Middle East peace process in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, and resolve the dispute between Israel and its neighbours in accordance with international law and all UN resolutions on this conflict.