HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister participates in the second ASEAN-GCC Summit
Kuala Lumpur, May 27 (BNA): On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, participated today in the second ASEAN-GCC Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Summit brought together senior officials and leaders from participating delegations to discuss regional cooperation and strategic partnerships.
On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness issued a statement, which reads as follows:
Your Majesties, Highnesses, and Excellencies,
On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, it is an honour to address this Second ASEAN-GCC Summit.
We take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to Malaysia for its generous hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for this important gathering. We also extend our gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its pivotal role in hosting the inaugural Summit in Riyadh, which laid a strong foundation for the enduring partnership between the GCC and ASEAN.
Fifteen years ago, the first ASEAN-GCC Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue convened in the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking the beginning of a promising new chapter in relations between our two regions.
What united us then and what continues to bind us today is a foundation of shared values, aligned interests, and a common understanding that today’s global challenges demand unity, determination, and collective strength. It is through this spirit that we turn challenges into opportunities and pave the way for stability and sustainable prosperity for all our people.
Since that inaugural meeting, dialogue has evolved into action. The first ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh demonstrated how far we have come. What began as an exploratory engagement has matured into a robust partnership grounded in a shared commitment to prosperity across trade, investment, connectivity, innovation, and stronger people-to-people ties.
Today, we see genuine alignment in our approaches to the future whether in developing resilient food systems, advancing sustainable tourism, or investing in human capital through education and research. These are not simply areas of cooperation; they are expressions of a shared vision one that prioritizes adaptability, innovation, and long-term stability.
What inspires real confidence is not just the breadth of our ambitions, but the steady and tangible progress we continue to achieve.
Your Highnesses and Excellencies,
The challenges we face climate change, economic fragmentation, and geopolitical tensions are increasingly complex, interlinked, and urgent.
Yet even in this atmosphere of uncertainty, there are compelling reasons for hope. Breakthroughs in clean energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and the renewed resolve of the international community all serve as reminders that solutions are not only possible they are already in motion.
This is why our partnership is so vital.
Anchored in mutual respect, shared priorities, and a common set of values, the ASEAN-GCC partnership stands as a testament to what multilateral cooperation can deliver. When nations choose collaboration over division, our ability to confront global challenges is greatly enhanced.
The Kingdom of Bahrain remains steadfast in its commitment to multilateralism. In May last year, during the 33rd Arab Summit hosted in Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa called for an international peace conference on the Middle East an appeal rooted in the belief that peace must be pursued through unity, dialogue, and diplomacy. We continue to urge the international community to support this initiative, which places cooperation at the heart of conflict resolution.
Bahrain also reaffirms its full support for the ASEAN-GCC Joint Cooperation Plan for 2024–2028 and strongly endorses the launch of negotiations for a ASEAN-GCC Free Trade Agreement. These initiatives offer not only a framework for strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties but also a powerful mechanism for coordinated action.
In this context, we warmly welcome yesterday’s signing of the joint statement launching negotiations for a Malaysia-GCC Free Trade Agreement, witnessed by His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. This milestone represents an important step forward in regional integration and economic collaboration.
Your Highnesses and Excellencies,
When we convened the first ASEAN-GCC ministerial meeting in Bahrain fifteen years ago, our focus was on enhancing economic resilience amid a global financial crisis. Since then, trade between our regions has more than doubled, and the connections between our peoples have deepened.
When students study abroad, when scholars exchange knowledge, and when cultures are shared and celebrated, our partnerships grow stronger and more enduring.
This people-centered dimension of ASEAN-GCC cooperation must remain at the heart of our vision. It is through our people that we will build a partnership that is resilient, dynamic, and future-ready.
The path ahead will not be without difficulty. But by deepening our collaboration, we will together chart a course toward a safer, more prosperous future for all.
Thank you.
