KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger collaboration between Asean and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) amidst rising global economic uncertainties. Speaking at the second Asean-GCC Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar emphasised the urgency of reinforcing inter-regional ties to ensure economic resilience and sustainable growth.
“Our partnership has never been more important,” he said, urging all parties to translate shared ambitions into concrete action. Held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit, today’s summit featured the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Trilateral Summit, marking a historic step in regional cooperation.
Anwar and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who met on the sidelines of the summit, agreed to boost strategic cooperation in key areas such as trade, green energy, digital infrastructure, and the halal industry. Anwar also highlighted China’s support for Malaysia’s modernisation drive and stressed the value of solidarity within the Global South. Leaders at the summit, including Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, noted the substantial economic potential between the blocs.
With GCC-Asean trade reaching over US$128 billion in 2023 and projections estimating US$180 billion by 2026, talks of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were welcomed as a key pathway to boosting investment and supply chain integration. The trilateral summit represents a strategic platform to align economic priorities and leverage shared strengths across the Asean, GCC, and China. The combined economies of the Asean-GCC-China grouping now surpass US$25 trillion, with a population of over two billion.
Anwar called the summit “a meeting of minds” that reflects mutual trust, regional unity, and a shared commitment to peace and prosperity. As Malaysia enters its fifth term as Asean Chair, the country is once again positioned at the centre of regional diplomacy, hosting pivotal discussions aimed at shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected future for Asia and the Middle East.
