In a historic summit, the first between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ASEAN, leaders from 16 Gulf and Asian nations gathered in Riyadh on Friday to launch a joint action plan for the period 2024–2028. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stated that it "maps out a clear roadmap for enhancing cooperation and partnership in various fields that serve our collective interests." Experts and researchers affirm that the summit accelerated economic and developmental rapprochement, with the countries' policies focusing on development, the economy, and balanced political stances.
This meeting followed a similar summit held three months prior between the GCC and Central Asian countries in Jeddah, at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, as part of his vision to strengthen joint Gulf action aimed at activating strategic partnerships for the GCC regionally and globally, benefiting the citizens of Gulf states and the region.
Observers believe that the "Riyadh Summit" reflects, according to "Asharq Al-Awsat," the participating countries' appreciation for Saudi Arabia's status on both regional and international levels. They highlight King Salman and the Crown Prince's commitment to establishing a strategic partnership between Gulf nations and ASEAN and enhancing coordination on issues of mutual concern. This also indicates the GCC's openness, especially led by Saudi Arabia, towards partnerships with influential global blocs to enhance the council's global status.
The framework for cooperation over the next five years outlines the measures and activities to be implemented between both sides in various political, security, economic, and investment fields, as well as others that yield mutual benefits. Analysts suggest that it derives from common links, particularly strategic location, economic progress, and shared goals and aspirations; such as accelerating economic growth, solidifying international investment partnerships, cultural development, and enhancing global peace and stability.
Dr. Ali Dabbak Al-Anzi, a media professor at King Saud University, spoke about the significance of the meeting, which is part of Saudi Arabia and its GCC partners’ efforts to enhance their economic, political, and cultural options with various countries and blocs. Despite being scheduled in advance, Al-Anzi points out that "the summit is critically important regarding timing and objectives, held at a time when the world is undergoing significant geopolitical changes across all levels, necessitating the intensification of options and weaving relationships between GCC countries and other political and economic blocs, including the ASEAN grouping with a combined GDP of approximately 5 trillion dollars."
Indonesian researcher Abdullah Boukas, residing in Kuala Lumpur and interested in Southeast Asian affairs, anticipates further economic and investment rapprochement between the two blocs in the upcoming period, especially after the announcement of the 2024–2028 cooperation framework. He noted that such proximity could encourage member states' commitments to neutrality in geopolitical conflicts between major powers, their concern for their peoples' interests, and their goals for economic growth through a multilateral system.
Boukas indicates that ASEAN countries have demonstrated their ability to adapt to contractions in the global economy and recover quickly from economic crises, which has encouraged an increase in Gulf investments over recent years alongside rising confidence in the Southeast Asian region. He added: "Amid major power polarization from nations such as China and the United States, the significance of this cooperation between the two blocs lies in existing commonalities among member states concerning political, human rights, trade, and religious issues."
While the summit takes place against the backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza, the Saudi Crown Prince firmly rejected any targeting of civilians in Gaza in any form or under any pretext at the summit's opening, emphasizing the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law, halting military operations, and preparing conditions for stabilizing and achieving lasting peace that ensures a fair solution for the establishment of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, thus ensuring security and prosperity for all.
Dr. Hisham Al-Ghanem, the supervisor of the Security Research Center and National Security Program at the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, stated that the summit was agreed upon long before the current events in Gaza that began two weeks ago. He explained that the meeting aims to solidify and develop economic, cultural, political, and security relations with ASEAN countries and noted the necessity of addressing recent developments.
Al-Ghanem added: "Gulf states and ASEAN were primarily interested in presenting a unified stance on the Gaza situation, and secondly, to discuss issues previously prepared on the agenda." He attributed the issuance of two separate statements on Gulf-ASEAN relations, and the Gaza situation, to giving both issues the necessary attention.
He clarified that the first statement reminded participants of the general principles governing state relations, such as adherence to international law, respect for sovereignty, and resolving disputes peacefully, aiming to clarify the principles that govern Gulf relations with ASEAN and simultaneously paving the way for the second statement about the war on Gaza.
He noted that the second statement "aligned with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's vision regarding the ongoing war in Gaza, as expressed in his opening speech at the conference," representing "the Kingdom's perspective on handling the current crisis, which was communicated to all Western officials attending in Riyadh." The statement stressed "the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the delivery of aid and services to the people of Gaza, respect for the Geneva Convention regarding civilian protection during warfare, immediate release of civilian detainees from both sides, and finally, affirming the importance of a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to the two-state solution principle on the pre-June 4, 1967 borders."
Dr. Al-Anzi echoed this sentiment, noting that the summit's statement clearly condemned the actions of the occupying authorities in Palestinian territories, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s speech leading a condemnation of the aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, affirming "this is Saudi Arabia's steadfast position regarding the Palestinian issue."
Returning to researcher Boukas, he observed that the final statement's neutral condemnation of all attacks against civilians and its call for all parties to a permanent ceasefire are in agreement with the positions of all ASEAN and GCC member states, despite their differing orientations and stances on the Palestinian issue.
