KUALA LUMPUR — On behalf of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan led the Kingdom's delegation at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–China Summit held in Malaysia on Tuesday. In his address at the summit, Prince Faisal affirmed 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. The minister reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to inclusive and sustainable long-term economic growth that benefits all segments of society while preserving environmental balance. "We aim 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. We also seek 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," he said. 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. He 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. The Saudi minister reaffirmed 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. Prince Faisal 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.
