ASEAN and GCC Chart Future Direction of Partnership

Jakarta, 14 August 2026 - ASEAN and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening ASEAN-GCC cooperation and discussed the future direction of their partnership at the Third Meeting between the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and the GCC Ambassadors' Council in Jakarta. Held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, the Meeting reviewed progress in implementing the ASEAN-GCC Framework of Cooperation (2024-2028) and explored opportunities to further deepen cooperation across priority areas. The Meeting also looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN-GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM) on the sidelines of the 81^st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in September this year to review progress in ASEAN-GCC relations and its future direction, as well as discuss preparations for the Third ASEAN-GCC Summit in 2027 and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern.

The Meeting noted steady progress in ASEAN-GCC relations, underpinned by shared interests in promoting peace, stability, economic prosperity and sustainable development. It welcomed progress in strengthening cooperation between the ASEAN Chiefs of National Police (ASEANAPOL) and the Gulf Cooperation Council Police (GCCPOL), including through participation in each other's flagship events and the finalisation of a Joint Action Plan.

Economic cooperation continues to be a key pillar of ASEAN-GCC relations. Building on the ASEAN-GCC Framework of Cooperation (FOC) 2024-2028 and the Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation adopted at the Second ASEAN-GCC Summit in 2025, the Meeting reviewed progress in advancing economic cooperation, including the possible establishment of an ASEAN-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Both sides identified key areas for future cooperation, including the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and cybersecurity, alongside renewable energy, health, agriculture, water and food security, tourism, and the halal industry.

Looking ahead, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to effectively implement the ASEAN-GCC FOC (2024-2028). ASEAN also encouraged the GCC to support the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future. The Meeting underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in addressing shared regional and global challenges, including transnational crime, counter-terrorism and cybersecurity. Both sides also encouraged further cooperation under the FOC and the outcomes of the two ASEAN-GCC Summits, highlighting the importance of public-private and business-to-business engagement and people-to-people connectivity through exchanges among youth, students, media and artists, as well as scholarship programmes.

The GCC was also encouraged to support the implementation of the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (ACSP), the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, ASEAN's sustainable development initiatives, the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan V, and to collaborate with ASEAN centres of excellence.

They underscored the importance of maintaining close coordination to strengthen institutional linkages and advance practical cooperation, with a view to delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of ASEAN and the GCC.

The Permanent Representative of Singapore to ASEAN, Gerard Ho, and Ambassador of Bahrain to ASEAN, Ahmed Abdulla Alharmasi Alhajeri, co-chaired the Meeting. Members of the CPR, the GCC Ambassadors' Council in Jakarta or their representatives, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, and their respective delegations were in attendance.