The GCC-ASEAN gets off to a promising start

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Association of South-East Nations (ASEAN) summit held in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia has brought into existence a new formation of group of countries inhabiting two significant parts of Asia, and both are groupings of relatively small countries with vibrant economies and a positive social outlook.

The two groups are market-oriented, and their people enjoy relative prosperity. It is the desire to expand economic opportunities and to connect people for peaceful purposes that makes it a happy configuration. It does not intend to rival any other formation, and there are no political contests between them.

Addressing the summit President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, “Today, as we assemble, our region faces a grave conflict, and the toll and risks associated with it amplify daily, especially in humanitarian terms,” with reference to the situation in Gaza as Israel prepares a ground attack in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack.

The UAE President appealed for an immediate ceasefire, and reiterated his belief that international conflicts have to be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. He also talked of the challenges facing the world: “Today, the world faces serious challenges ranging from supply chain disruptions, energy and food security, climate change, and pandemics to various conflicts and disputes.”

He expressed the hope that at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in late November-early December, there would be positive outcomes and that ASEAN would participate actively for bringing about the outcomes.

The GCC-ASEAN summit, which brings together nations that have many emergent economies among its members, could serve as a good example of cooperation which will boost economic growth of the members of the two groups which are very different from each other. In many ways, there is much in common between the GCC members through language, culture and geography.

Members of the ASEAN have different languages, cultures and religions but their economic ties with each other have helped build a prosperous economic zone. And each brings strengths of its own to the table. It is of course the case that GCC and ASEAN are not forming a larger group, they are only coming together at summits – it has been agreed to make them biennial – and exchange ideas as they deepen economic ties. This would certainly increase trade and exchange of people, services and goods between the two groups of countries. Meeting together and exchanging views is the beginning of a deeper engagement with each other. The seven countries of GCC and the 10 of ASEAN could make an ideal Seventeen to give a new meaning to globalisation.

The two groups could create a large pool of talent and wealth which would help in facing the challenges before the world like climate change. It is now evident that no country can manage the global issues on its own, and countries have to join hands.

This is a point made time and again by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He has been emphasising the importance of international dialogue and international cooperation in solving problems facing the whole of humanity. GCC and ASEAN could set up a good example of how two groups of countries can come together and without any conflict of political interest; they could address economic and ecological issues on their own merits and find out solutions.

It would be the first time that two groups of countries would come together without historical and ideological baggage, and their leaders and experts could discuss merits and demerits of issues based on facts. The GCC-ASEAN have made a good and promising start, and it would benefit a divided world hugely if they succeed in bringing about prosperity through peaceful relations.