Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit as exceptional in the context of Southeast Asia. He highlighted the presence of ASEAN leaders alongside representatives from the region's most dynamic GCC countries as a testament to the growing mutual trust and friendship between the two blocs.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar hailed the summit as an extraordinary milestone in regional diplomacy with the Gulf countries, aimed at further deepening political, economic, and strategic ties between the two regions. The Prime Minister expressed that it is rare for ASEAN leaders to collaborate with GCC countries, highlighting the importance of trust, cooperation, and friendship in this partnership. He officially declared the summit open during his address at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

Anwar noted that the summit builds on the foundations laid during the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh in 2023. This ongoing engagement underscores a shared commitment to strengthening ties between the two regional groupings. He emphasized that the presence of both blocs signifies a mutual dedication to fostering stronger bonds and enhancing strategic partnerships.

As the key meeting of the ASEAN Summit 2025, Anwar mentioned that the chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', aligns closely with the aspirations of equitable, people-centred, and forward-looking growth, which are values shared by both ASEAN and the GCC.