Kuala Lumpur: On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah led the Kingdom's delegation today at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China Summit held in Malaysia.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the foreign minister affirmed in his address at the summit that the gathering marks a significant step forward in the ongoing cooperation journey that began with the inaugural GCC-ASEAN Summit in Riyadh in 2023. That summit laid the foundation for an ambitious partnership that strengthened economic and trade ties and opened new avenues for collaboration in energy, education, security, and innovation.
"We meet today to deepen this partnership with the inclusion of the People's Republic of China," Prince Faisal stated. He reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to inclusive and sustainable long-term economic growth that benefits all segments of society while preserving environmental balance.
His Highness the Foreign Minister added that the aim is to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, clean, and renewable energy sources and to leverage China's Belt and Road Initiative to enhance regional connectivity and integration between ASEAN and GCC countries. Additionally, the goal is to advance the digital economy by empowering startups, expanding public-private partnerships, and promoting people-to-people exchange programs to build resilient, innovation-driven, and inclusive economies.
Prince Faisal emphasized that through Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is committed to fostering an attractive investment environment, facilitating trade, and removing barriers to commercial exchange. His Highness expressed the Kingdom's aspiration to expand cooperation across all vital sectors of mutual interest, with the aim of building a long-term strategic partnership that benefits nations and strengthens their standing in the international community.
His Highness concluded by reaffirming the Kingdom's call for collective action toward achieving a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people, in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. His Highness also expressed Saudi Arabia's shared desire and readiness to support efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and reaching a sustainable, peaceful resolution.