Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today called for innovative partnership between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for a sustainable future.

Addressing the ASEAN-GCC summit in Riyadh, Srettha reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to fostering relations with the GCC members, particularly in economic cooperation, climate action and people-to-people relations.

He also proposed more cooperation in trade and investment through Thai-GCC and ASEAN-GCC free trade arrangements.

GCC is a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi Arabia was represented in the summit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

To strengthen ties between private sectors as well as promote food and energy security, the Thai prime minister proposed the establishment of an ASEAN-GCC business forum.

Srettha also called for more cooperation in sustainability and green financing and energy transition towards net-zero emission.

In order to strengthen people-to-people ties through tourism, particularly health and wellness tourism, he said his government would pursue a visa free scheme and open sky connectivity.

Referring to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflicts, Srettha appealed to all parties to immediately end violence targeting civilians and called for immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

At least 17 Thai workers are reported to be among foreigners held hostage by Hamas who attacked Israel earlier this month.