Latest news with #CooperationCouncil
Barnama
6 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
New Zealand Seeks Strategic Partnership With Malaysia In Halal Industry, Regional Trade
GENERAL From Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 17 (Bernama) -- New Zealand has expressed a strong interest in forging closer cooperation with Malaysia in the halal industry and has chosen Malaysia as a key strategic partner, particularly in trade across the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that this commitment was conveyed by New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade, and Investment, Todd McClay, during their bilateral meeting today. 'The New Zealand government aims to be a strategic partner to Malaysia, not only in halal certification but also by leveraging Malaysia as a gateway to the ASEAN market, which has a population exceeding 600 million,' Ahmad Zahid told reporters after the meeting. The discussion followed Ahmad Zahid's visit to the National Crisis Management Centre (Beehive Bunker), New Zealand's strategic government control centre for disaster and emergency response. During the meeting that touched on various strategic matters, Ahmad Zahid said McClay also expressed willingness to accept Malaysian agricultural exports, particularly tropical fruits such as pineapples. Additionally, he said Malaysian companies were invited to invest in New Zealand's construction sector. 'Overall, this meeting reached a strategic agreement to broaden bilateral trade relations, including active New Zealand involvement in platforms such as the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP),' he said. Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that Malaysia-New Zealand relations will continue to grow as a model of strategic cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.
Arab Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait's swimming team heads to Bahrain for the GCC Championship
KUWAIT CITY, July 10: The Kuwaiti national swimming team departed for Bahrain yesterday to take part in the 29th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Swimming Championship set to take place over two days—today and tomorrow. The delegation, led by Ali Al-Enezi, includes a group of talented young swimmers who have undergone intensive training as part of their preparation for this key regional event, which is regarded as one of the most significant competitions in Gulf swimming. The Technical Committee of the Kuwait Aquatics Federation affirmed that this participation is a key component of the team's broader development strategy, designed to sharpen athletes' skills and elevate their readiness for upcoming continental and international tournaments. The committee also expressed high hopes for strong performances that showcase the progress of Kuwaiti swimming, progress made possible through the ongoing support of the Public Authority for Sports and the Federation's Board of Directors, chaired by Sheikh Khaled Al-Badr.
Qatar Tribune
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Events witnessed in region will escalate tensions and affect security and stability: GCC
RIYADH: GCC General Secretariat stressed that the events witnessed in the region today, including the direct targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America, will escalate tensions and affect security and stability in the region. GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said in a statement that the Cooperation Council affirms the contents of the statement issued by the 48th Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council regarding developments in the region, and the GCC's condemnation of everything that threatens the security and stability of the region. He also emphasised the need for an immediate ceasefire, for all parties to exert joint efforts to de-escalate tensions, adopt diplomacy as an effective means of resolving conflicts, and exercise the highest levels of self-restraint to spare the region and its people the dangers of war.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
46TH ASEAN SUMMIT CONCLUDES WITH FOCUS ON UNITY AND GROWTH
Under Malaysia's 2025 chairmanship, the 46th Asean Summit at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) convened regional leaders amid mounting geopolitical and economic headwinds. The summit underscored a renewed focus on deepening economic integration, safeguarding regional stability and championing sustainable development. Against a backdrop of intensifying global uncertainties — from trade frictions to climate risks — Asean leaders laid out pragmatic strategies and forged new partnerships to secure the region's future. Here is an overview of the key outcomes and discussions that defined this critical summit. Asean foreign ministers' meeting Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan opened the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) by urging member states to stand united in the face of global challenges, including the US–China trade war, climate change and rapid technological disruption. Stressing the importance of Asean Centrality, he called for deeper regional economic integration and fairer intra-Asean trade to close income gaps and build resilience. He also addressed humanitarian crises in Gaza and Myanmar, emphasising Asean's moral responsibility to uphold peace and justice. Malaysia's theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' was reinforced throughout, laying the groundwork for the adoption of Asean Community Vision 2045. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan waving towards the media members during the opening of the 46th ASEAN- Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26.–AZMAN GHANI/The Star Asean-GCC-China Summit embraces multipolar cooperation Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the inaugural Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit as a key moment for advancing collaboration in a rapidly evolving, multipolar world. The summit brought together regions with a combined population of over two billion and an economic scale nearing US$25 trillion. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the summit was expected to align with Asean's aspiration to play a greater role in shaping the Indo-Pacific's geo-economic landscape. Leaders focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and sustainable development—underscoring the alliance's potential to contribute to regional stability, inclusivity and shared prosperity. Timor-Leste's Asean membership confirmed In a historic move, Asean leaders agreed to grant Timor-Leste full membership at the next summit in October 2025, increasing the bloc to 11 countries. Timor-Leste's progress in meeting membership criteria, reflects Asean's expanding inclusivity. Having been an observer since 2022, Timor-Leste is preparing to fully integrate into Asean's economic, political and social frameworks. Asean unveils 20-year strategic roadmap At the 46th Asean Summit, leaders adopted and signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future. This 20-year roadmap aims to guide Asean in navigating global megatrends while reinforcing its role as a resilient, innovative and people-centred regional community. The vision is built around six core documents, including strategic plans across political-security, economic, socio-cultural and connectivity. It sets out strategic directions and expected outcomes aimed at deepening regional integration, advancing sustainability and strengthening institutional effectiveness. Asean 2045 reaffirms the bloc's commitment to placing people at the heart of its agenda, while preparing to be a global growth hub in the Indo-Pacific. With clear targets and an implementation framework, the roadmap ensures that Asean remains relevant, responsive and united in the face of future challenges. Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao giving sweets to members of the media.— AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star. Awes 2025: Empowering women for Asean's economic future The inaugural Asean Women's Economic Summit (Awes) 2025 spotlighted the pivotal role of women in driving the region's economic transformation. Under the theme 'Empowering Women, Energising Asean: Pioneering Economic Integration for a Resilient Tomorrow,' the summit featured strategic dialogues, leadership workshops and mentoring programmes. These initiatives aim to position women at the forefront of Asean's economic integration, especially amid global challenges such as trade tensions and digital disruption. Awes 2025 sets a robust agenda for gender equality, reinforcing its centrality in building a resilient and innovative Asean economy. Economic milestone: Asean advances trade and energy integration At the summit, member states concluded negotiations on significant upgrades to two key trade agreements: the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 and the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga). These enhancements aim to deepen intra-regional trade, strengthen supply chains and boost investment flows, with formal signings anticipated at the 47th Asean Summit in October. Concurrently, Asean made strides in energy cooperation by finalising an Enhanced Memorandum of Agreement on the Asean Power Grid (APG). This initiative seeks to bolster regional energy security, connectivity, and sustainability, reflecting Asean's commitment to integrated growth and resilience amid evolving global trade dynamics. Light moment - Gusmao's sweet surprise for journalists Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao brought a sweet break to the intense Asean-GCC Summit by offering candies to the waiting journalists, joking, 'Take it, you've waited so long.' The unexpected gesture delighted and surprised the media, providing a brief but much-appreciated moment of warmth amid a busy schedule.
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
GCC Ministerial Council slams Israel's plan to fragment West Bank enclaves
Continued from page 1 The Council condemned the Israeli occupation's ratification of the plan to fragment 13 settlement enclaves in the West Bank, its relentless construction of settlement units across the occupied Palestinian territory, and the forcible eviction of Palestinians from their homes. It reaffirmed its outright rejection of any attempts to annex West Bank settlements to the Israeli entity. On the Gulf front, the Council underscored its enduring commitment to the strength and cohesion of the GCC, the unity of its ranks, and the advancement of greater coordination, integration, and interconnectedness across all sectors, so as to fulfill the aspirations of GCC citizens. It affirmed that its member states stand in absolute solidarity in the face of any threat targeting any of the GCC states. The Council took note of the political efforts spearheaded by GCC member states and Arab nations to cease the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, commending the humanitarian and relief assistance extended by GCC states to Gaza, including the popular campaigns launched to support the Palestinian people and ensure the delivery of life-saving aid to the embattled population. The Council hailed the outcomes of the Gulf–US Summit 2025, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on May 14, 2025, and the Second ASEAN–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, convened on May 27, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Both summits underscored the growing strategic alignment and reinforced multilateral cooperation frameworks. On the Syrian issue, the Council stressed the imperative of upholding Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial unity, unequivocally rejecting any foreign meddling in its internal affairs. It affirmed that the security and stability of Syria constitute a fundamental pillar of regional security architecture. On the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the Council reiterated that its stance is anchored in the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, emphasizing the preservation of the rules-based international order founded on respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. The communique further took note of the diplomatic efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly its hosting of direct talks between the Russian Federation and the United States of America over Ukraine crisis, expressing hope that such engagements would culminate in advancing their intended objectives of bolstering security and stability. It welcomed the ceasefire deal reached between India and Pakistan and their decision to prioritize wisdom and restraint, expressing hope that this development would pave the way for restoring security and stability across the region.
