New York:Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, emphasized that the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) builds on the progress made during the Gulf-ASEAN summits held in Riyadh in 2023 and Kuala Lumpur in 2025. These summits have significantly advanced cooperation between the two regions.
According to Qatar News Agency, Albudaiwi highlighted the long-standing and historic relations between GCC states and ASEAN nations, noting their shared commitment to deepening partnerships and expanding cooperation. This collaboration aims to serve the interests of their populations and support regional stability and prosperity.
Albudaiwi mentioned that the GCC and ASEAN Secretariats have conducted numerous meetings to establish frameworks for joint cooperation in areas such as politics, security, economy, trade, and development. These discussions also include coordinating positions on various regional and international issues in global forums.
Addressing regional developments, Albudaiwi reported that since February 28, 2026, GCC states have faced over 7,000 ballistic missile and drone attacks from Iran and its affiliates. These attacks, which have targeted critical infrastructure, resulted in casualties and substantial damage, despite GCC's non-involvement in the conflict and efforts to mediate and prevent escalation.
The GCC Secretary-General reiterated the Council's demand for Iran to fully comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, cease all attacks permanently, and restore navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab to their previous state before February 28, 2026. He also condemned any unilateral imposition of fees or conditions on passage rights and insisted that Iran assume full legal responsibility and compensate for the damages caused by its actions.
Albudaiwi expressed confidence that enhancing cooperative relations between the GCC and ASEAN would positively influence their joint initiatives amid current challenges. He urged technical working groups to intensify their efforts to advance cooperation, emphasizing that this meeting would help elevate Gulf-ASEAN relations to new levels of collaboration.