GCC Secretary-General emphasizes economic integration with ASEAN

Jassim Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that economic integration between the GCC and ASEAN serves as a strategic pillar for enhancing investment flows and fostering mutual growth. Speaking at an ASEAN dialogue session in Doha, Qatar, during the ninth World Investment Forum (WIF2026), Albudaiwi highlighted that regional integration is essential for building resilient economies capable of navigating geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global supply chains.

He noted that the GCC economies currently represent a significant global force, with a total GDP of approximately $2.4 trillion and commodity trade volume nearing $1.8 trillion. Albudaiwi emphasized that cooperation between the two blocs leverages complementary strengths: the GCC’s investment capabilities, energy resources, and advanced infrastructure, alongside ASEAN’s industrial networks and vibrant markets.