GCC-ASEAN ministerial meeting builds on momentum of Gulf-Asian summits, says Al-Budaiwi

GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi announced that the joint ministerial meeting with ASEAN supports the momentum from previous Gulf-Asian summits in 2023 and 2025. The meeting, co-chaired by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Singapore's Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Al-Budaiwi highlighted the longstanding and evolving relationship between the GCC and ASEAN, emphasizing their shared goals of strengthening partnerships and broadening areas of cooperation for mutual benefit and regional stability. The GCC and ASEAN secretariats have conducted various meetings to discuss joint cooperation frameworks across political, security, economic, trade, and development sectors, as well as coordinating positions on regional and international issues at global forums.

Al-Budaiwi reported that since February 28, 2026, the GCC has faced over 7,000 ballistic missile and drone attacks by Iran and its proxies, causing significant casualties and damage to facilities. Despite not being a party to the conflict, the GCC has been intensively mediating and exercising restraint to prevent escalation. Iran's disruption of international navigation and closure of the Strait of Hormuz is described as a violation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Al-Budaiwi reiterated the GCC's stance, calling for Iran's full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, a halt to attacks, restoration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab, and Iran's responsibility for damages caused. Al-Budaiwi expressed optimism that enhanced GCC-ASEAN cooperation will positively impact joint efforts, urging technical working groups to intensify efforts to develop mutually beneficial cooperation.