A joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) was held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The meeting was attended by GCC and Asean foreign ministers, GCC Secretary-General Jassem Albudaiwi and Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
The GCC side was chaired by Foreign Minister and chair of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, while the Asean side was chaired by Enrique Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
Dr Al Zayani thanked Asean member states for their solidarity with GCC countries during a particularly difficult period and expressed appreciation for their recognition of the GCC’s efforts to advance dialogue, mediation and regional stability.
He noted that since the first GCC-Asean meeting in 2023, the partnership has gained significant momentum, including two summits, the establishment of a co-operation framework, and expanded dialogue across a range of strategic sectors.
Looking ahead to the third GCC-Asean Summit next year, Dr Al Zayani said the priority should now be to translate this momentum into practical, measurable co-operation through concrete initiatives that serve the shared interests of governments and peoples.
He added that the meeting provided an important opportunity to assess existing commitments, identify priorities for the next phase of the partnership, and exchange views on regional and international developments affecting shared security and prosperity.
The ministers also discussed latest regional and international developments, international efforts to enhance security and stability in the region, and a number of issues of mutual interest.
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