The inaugural ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit has taken place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin along with other ASEAN leaders, was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia before the meeting.
The summit marks the first formal discussion between ASEAN countries and the GCC, comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Under the theme ’Sustainable Future Through Creative Partnership,’ both regions are seeking tighter economic and social bonds. Together, ASEAN and GCC account for nearly 6% of global GDP.
Challenges in human security, food, energy, healthcare, and climate change were addressed. Both regions agreed to develop a sustainable vision and to place citizens at the center of initiatives.
Thailand’s Prime Minister proposed three key areas for collaboration. These include seamless trade and investment, sustainable energy development with a goal of zero net greenhouse gas emissions, and enhanced people-to-people relations. Thailand aims to double the number of tourists from GCC countries from nearly 300,000 to 600,000 within the next two years, capitalizing on its expertise in health tourism.
The Prime Minister also urged an end to regional violence, specifically mentioning the loss of 30 Thai lives in the Middle East. He called for peaceful negotiation and immediate release of hostages, unconditionally. (NNT)
