Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Albudaiwi emphasized the strong and multifaceted relationship between the GCC and ASEAN countries during a roundtable discussion on "ASEAN's Journey Towards Unity: Lessons in Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation" at the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The roundtable was held on Tuesday at the invitation of the ASEAN organization.
Albudaiwi described the GCC-ASEAN relationship as successful, having developed over time. He cited the 2023 summit, where leaders from both blocs expressed their desire to strengthen ties, as reflected in the final communique.
Albudaiwi attributed the enduring and growing relationship to shared interests since their respective formations, significant economic and trade opportunities, and strong bilateral relations among member states.
He commended ASEAN as a model for regional cooperation, economic growth, and diplomatic stability, praising its diplomatic approach and multilateral cooperation in fostering unity amidst regional and global diversity.