President Jokowi Discusses Strengthening Economic Cooperation at the ASEAN-GCC Summit

Screenshot via Antara/President Joko Widodo when speaking at the ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday (20/10/2023).

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) discussed efforts to strengthen economic cooperation at the Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Cooperation Council for Arab Countries in the Gulf Region (ASEAN-GCC Summit).

"ASEAN and the GCC are two big powers that will continue to grow," said Jokowi when delivering a statement at the summit meeting as reported by ANTARA, Friday, October 20.

With the GDP of the two regions reaching more than 5 trillion US dollars (around IDR 79,309 trillion) and a total population exceeding 700 million people, he said ASEAN and the GCC have large capital to play a strategic role as a positive force amidst a divided world.

"We need to maximize economic potential through balanced and open investment and trade—including the ASEAN-GCC trade framework—and through industrial development, halal certification and the development of halal tourism," said President Jokowi.

The President encouraged strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships to support food and energy security among ASEAN and GCC members through cooperation in the agricultural and food sectors, harmonization of agricultural commodity standards, and energy transition programs.

At the end of his speech, Jokowi raised the issue of protecting migrant workers.

"In the midst of an increasingly uncertain global situation, I underline ASEAN's commitment to increasing protection for migrant workers. "I ask for the support of the GCC countries," he said.

Jokowi also appreciated the accession of all GCC members to the ASEAN Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (TAC) as a commitment by the Gulf countries to support peace in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

The first ASEAN-GCC summit was also attended by ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn, all ASEAN members, as well as GCC members consisting of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.