GCC–ASEAN Relations: Strengthening Global South Solidarity in an Era of Uncertainty

Eunji Kim

Senior Researcher, HIMEA

A Strategic Invitation

Malaysia has extended invitations to China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to attend the upcoming ASEAN Summit in May. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim explained that this decision reflects ASEAN's effort to reaffirm its strategic relevance in an increasingly multipolar world. Some analysts interpret the move as part of ASEAN's effort to build new alliances in response to the protectionist trade policies pursued by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The relationship between ASEAN and the GCC dates back to 1990, but it gained new momentum in October 2023 with the first-ever ASEAN–GCC Summit in Riyadh. All six GCC member states participated alongside ASEAN’s ten, and their accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) was welcomed. Prime Minister Anwar also proposed the negotiation of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). As attention turns to the Global South, there is growing interest in partnerships that move beyond traditional geopolitical frameworks.

1990s–2000s: Foundations of the Relationship

Formal contact between ASEAN and the GCC began in 1990 when the Omani Foreign Minister, then Chair of the GCC Ministerial Council, expressed interest in establishing official relations with ASEAN. At the UN General Assembly in New York that year, ASEAN and GCC foreign ministers agreed to meet annually and coordinate through their respective secretariats in Jakarta and Riyadh.

In April 2007, ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong visited the GCC Secretariat and met with Secretary-General Abdul Rahman al-Attiya, initiating the drafting of a formal document to institutionalize relations. At the ASEAN–GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in September 2007, ministers agreed to establish regular meetings. The first ministerial conference convened in June 2009 in Manama, Bahrain, where both sides adopted a joint vision. They agreed to conduct joint research and offer policy recommendations on free trade zones, economic cooperation and development, culture, education, and information exchange.

2010s: Formulating an Action Plan

At the second ASEAN–GCC Ministerial Meeting held in Singapore in June 2010, a concrete Two-Year Action Plan (2010–2012) was adopted. The plan focused on three key sectors: trade and investment; economy and development; and education, culture, and information.

In trade and investment, both sides agreed to mutual visits to deepen understanding of economic integration and explore the possibility of a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Areas such as halal certification, food security, and energy were identified for joint investment, while improvements in transportation and communication infrastructure were encouraged to facilitate trade.

In the economic and development domain, collaboration in finance and banking was promoted, with efforts to establish links between chambers of commerce and organize business forums and conferences.

In the area of education and culture, expert-level meetings were organized to support teacher training, STEM education, linguistics, vocational training, and curriculum development. Scholarships were provided to encourage ASEAN students to study in GCC countries. Cultural exchanges and joint festivals also helped foster mutual understanding. A series of working-level meetings followed, including an education consultation (Nov. 2010), a food security and agricultural investment workshop (May 2011), a tourism consultation (June 2011), and a senior economic officials' meeting (July 2011). In June 2014, both sides revisited the direction of their partnership and sought ways to revitalize cooperation.

2020s: Summit-Level Engagement and Practical Cooperation

On October 20, 2023, ASEAN and GCC leaders met for the first time at the summit level, hosted by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Saudi Arabia. The ASEAN side welcomed the fact that all GCC members had joined the TAC and expressed hope that regional cooperation would usher in an upgraded strategic partnership.

At the summit, the two sides jointly committed to:

1. Promoting peace, security, stability, and prosperity through mutual respect and cooperation;

2. Supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) by identifying specific areas of mutual interest;

3. Recognizing the importance of maritime cooperation and peaceful dispute resolution in accordance with international standards;

4. Enhancing multilateral and bilateral ties for sustainable development, peace, and stability;

5. Welcoming the ASEAN–GCC Cooperation Framework (2024–2028);

6. Exploring cooperation on transnational crime, cybercrime, and counterterrorism;

7. Creating mutually beneficial investment opportunities and expanding trade;

8. Strengthening public–private partnerships and business-to-business networks.

The 2024–2028 ASEAN–GCC Cooperation Framework builds on the previous Two-Year Action Plans and aims to broaden collaboration across political, economic, cultural, tourism, trade, and investment sectors. It also emphasizes compliance with both international and domestic legal frameworks.

As the GCC increasingly looks eastward for strategic partnerships beyond its traditional Western allies, economic ties with ASEAN are expected to grow. Maritime cooperation is particularly promising. Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore border the Strait of Malacca—through which roughly 80% of the oil bound for China and Japan is shipped—making this an essential trade route. ASEAN–GCC collaboration could also expand into broader trilateral or multilateral frameworks involving East Asian powers.

Strengthening Solidarity in the Global South

The term "Global South" broadly refers to emerging and developing countries in the Global South—primarily located in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, including U.S.–China rivalry and the prolonged war in Ukraine, these countries have drawn increased global attention.

Both ASEAN and GCC countries are part of the Global South and represent high-growth markets, characterized by youthful populations and proactive infrastructure investments. The ASEAN–GCC Cooperation Framework (2024–2028) is expected to institutionalize cooperation and address complementary needs. Sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia and the UAE have already begun investing actively in ASEAN, and total trade volume between the two regions continues to grow. As ASEAN expands its infrastructure, its demand for energy will rise—offering GCC countries new export opportunities. Conversely, GCC countries—due to their limited agricultural capacity—rely heavily on food imports, making ASEAN’s agricultural self-sufficiency a natural fit for deeper cooperation.

Given the Korean government’s recent interest in expanding ties with Global South nations, a strategic realignment that reflects evolving global economic dynamics is warranted. Low production costs and large working-age populations in Global South markets are attracting global corporate investment. In this context, Korea should actively leverage ASEAN–GCC solidarity. In 2023, Korea concluded FTA negotiations with the GCC and announced a joint declaration covering 17 sectors, including goods, services, government procurement, rules of origin, and customs procedures.

In 2024, ASEAN and Korea upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and pledged to pursue inclusive, high-level cooperation. In this era of uncertainty, Korea must seek opportunities for multilateral cooperation with ASEAN and the GCC and develop a strategy grounded in existing frameworks.