President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for deeper collaboration between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit held in Kuala Lumpur. Emphasizing the strategic importance of ASEAN-GCC ties, President Marcos urged fellow leaders to expand trade, foster innovation, and address pressing global challenges.
“While there is strong potential, it is also clear that our current trade patterns remain limited in scope, concentrated in a narrow band of sectors,” President Marcos said. “To unlock the full promise of our partnership, we must go beyond traditional trade and leverage our complementary strengths.”
Highlighting ASEAN’s fast-growing digital economy and dynamic, tech-savvy youth, the President noted the region’s natural synergy with the GCC’s global leadership in energy, capital investment, and logistics infrastructure. He stressed that closer cooperation can lead to resilient supply chains, sustainable energy solutions, and innovation-driven ecosystems.
President Marcos also encouraged collaboration in emerging sectors, including halal trade, digital commerce, and the harmonization of trade standards, to broaden the scope of economic engagement.
Recognizing the South China Sea and Arabian Sea as vital arteries of international commerce, the President reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and preserving marine environments. He called on all parties to uphold international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On labor and human capital, President Marcos emphasized the need to protect the rights and welfare of over 2.7 million ASEAN citizens working across GCC countries—more than 2 million of whom are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). He called for continued efforts to provide upskilling opportunities and ensure dignified employment conditions.
In a message of peace, President Marcos expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging de-escalation and commending the GCC’s peacemaking efforts. “The Philippines remains gravely concerned over Israel’s ongoing military operations across the Gaza Strip,” he stated, calling for global unity in support of peace and stability.
The ASEAN-GCC Summit is a platform for strengthening cooperation between the two regional blocs, aiming to build a more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable future for both regions.
