Bahrain Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateralism at ASEAN-GCC Summit
TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com
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.
high-level summit brought together senior leaders and officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss strengthening regional cooperation and advancing strategic partnerships across various sectors.
During the summit, His Royal Highness delivered a keynote address on behalf of His Majesty the King, highlighting Bahrain’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism, economic cooperation, and shared regional prosperity.
In his speech, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister extended appreciation to Malaysia for hosting the summit and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its role in hosting the inaugural summit in Riyadh, which laid a solid foundation for the ongoing GCC-ASEAN partnership.
Reflecting on the 15th anniversary of the first GCC-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue, which took place in Bahrain, His Royal Highness noted the evolution of dialogue into action and the transformation of early engagements into a comprehensive and robust strategic partnership.
“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,” HRH stated, emphasizing that such efforts represent a shared vision rooted in adaptability, innovation, and long-term stability.
His Royal Highness underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing pressing global challenges, including climate change, economic fragmentation, and geopolitical tensions. He highlighted the opportunities presented by advancements in clean energy, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence, stressing the role of collective action in delivering effective solutions.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister reaffirmed Bahrain’s support for the GCC-ASEAN Joint Cooperation Plan for 2024–2028 and endorsed the launch of negotiations for a GCC-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. He also welcomed the signing of a joint statement to begin talks on a Malaysia-GCC Free Trade Agreement, witnessed by the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, describing it as a milestone for regional economic integration.
His Royal Highness further reiterated Bahrain’s call for an international peace conference on the Middle East, as proposed by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the 33rd Arab Summit in Manama, highlighting Bahrain’s consistent advocacy for diplomacy and unity in conflict resolution.
Closing his remarks, HRH emphasized the central role of people-to-people connections in solidifying the GCC-ASEAN partnership, stressing that cultural exchange, education, and knowledge-sharing remain key to building a resilient and future-ready alliance.
“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,” His Royal Highness concluded.
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