KUALA LUMPUR: Representing HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah delivered keynote addresses during the ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, underscoring Kuwait’s commitment to multilateral collaboration amid mounting global challenges.

At the second ASEAN-GCC Summit, HH the Crown Prince stressed the strategic importance of deepening cooperation between the two regional blocs. Kuwait serves as the current chair of the GCC. He highlighted the success of the 2023 Riyadh summit and reaffirmed commitment to the 2024–2028 Strategic Cooperation Framework, which lays out actionable goals in energy, digital transformation, food security and cultural exchange. He proposed naming 2026 the “Year of Cultural Convergence” and called for enhanced collaboration in youth empowerment, women’s entrepreneurship and infrastructure development.

At the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Trilateral Summit, co-chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, HH the Crown Prince described the gathering as a “gateway to a new dynamic phase” of trilateral partnership. He highlighted growing trade volumes — GCC-China trade reached $298 billion in 2023, while GCC-ASEAN trade hit $122 billion — and called for the finalization of free trade agreements with China and ASEAN. He outlined five pillars for trilateral cooperation, including innovation, digital economy and sustainable development, and emphasized the importance of joint frameworks like the China-GCC Joint Action Plan (2023–2027).

In both speeches, HH the Crown Prince addressed ongoing regional crises, reiterating unwavering GCC support for the Palestinian cause and expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He also welcomed positive developments in Syria and stressed the importance of restoring sovereignty and stability.

Concluding both addresses, HH the Crown Prince called for concrete mechanisms to implement summit outcomes and extended an invitation to ASEAN countries to participate in Expo 2030 Riyadh as a platform for global cooperation and exchange. During his visit, HH Sheikh Sabah also attended a luncheon hosted by Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar for participating delegations. — KUNA