ASEAN-GCC: A model of inter-regional cooperation

On the morning of May 27, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien accompanied Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to participate in and address the second ASEAN – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.

Building on the success of the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit held in Riyadh in 2023, this meeting aimed to sustain the dynamic momentum in partnership and cooperation between ASEAN and GCC. Leaders from both sides underscored the importance of cooperation between these two influential organizations, highlighting them as a model of inter-regional relations founded on dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect—especially amid a rapidly changing global landscape.

Building on the success of the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit held in Riyadh in 2023, this conference aims to sustain the dynamic momentum in partnership and cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC.

The member states reaffirmed their determination to implement commitments concretely by translating them into practical cooperation programs under the framework of the ASEAN-GCC Cooperation Framework 2024–2028.

In this spirit, the parties agreed to deepen economic cooperation based on shared development visions, mutual benefits, and vast economic potentials. Leaders welcomed the launch of a feasibility study on the ASEAN-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a strategic step towards a solid foundation for long-term economic intergration.

The summit also reached consensus on key directions to boost market connectivity, facilitate investment, trade, logistics infrastructure, tourism, labor mobility, and the development of the Halal industry. There was a strong emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, ensuring supply chain security, while harnessing potential cooperation in digital economy, digital transformation, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

ASEAN and GCC plan for a comprehensive FTA

In his speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed high regard for the cooperation potential between ASEAN and GCC, noting that both regions possess unique strengths and complementary advantages, sharing many commonalities in their development visions.

ASEAN stands out with its rapid growth, young population, large markets, and swift adaptability, while GCC serves as a global energy hub endowed with abundant financial resources and advantages in technology and green development experience.

The Prime Minister emphasized that ASEAN and the GCC need to jointly shape and build a new generation model of inter-regional cooperation.

The Prime Minister emphasized that ASEAN and GCC must jointly shape and build a new generation of inter-regional cooperation grounded in sincerity, practicality, comprehensiveness, cohesion, and higher efficiency, to drive transformative progress in development cooperation. Strengthening harmonious benefits between the two sides will contribute to peace, stability, and shared development within both regions and globally.

He called for enhanced strategic connectivity and practical cooperation aimed at sustainable and inclusive development, placing people and businesses at the center.

The Prime Minister proposed that the two sides promptly establish a flexible, jointly implemented economic cooperation agreement in the short term to promote market access, supply chain connectivity, bilateral investment support, and provide a substantive mutual framework while conducting a feasibility study on a comprehensive FTA.

At the same time, the Prime Minister encouraged vigorous activation of the private sector’s role, especially GCC investment funds in ASEAN. He stressed the connecting role of the ASEAN Business Council and GCC business associations in creating a favorable, transparent, and open business and investment environment, boosting capital flows, technology transfer, and innovation.

He further suggested ASEAN and GCC to elevate green and sustainable growth sectors as new pillars of cooperation for the future welfare of their peoples, with focus on digital and green transformation, circular economy, application of science and technology, sustainable infrastructure development, smart cities, smart agriculture, Halal food markets, energy security, and food security.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien Accompanies Prime Minister to ASEAN-GCC Summit.

In a spirit of companionship and co-creation, the Prime Minister affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to collaborate with partners in advancing concrete cooperation on 5G digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, submarine cables; green hydrogen production, solar energy, and smart energy storage; building high-quality Halal supply chains; and facilitating labor mobility and working conditions to meet market demands and enhance the economy’s adaptability.