The meeting between member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Saudi Arabia, 20 October 2023, plays an important role in global geopolitics which also has a significant influence on Indonesia.

The geopolitics of this ASEAN-GCC meeting, in the Indonesian context, is a focus on key aspects such as energy, security, economy and international relations, which are important for Indonesia’s presence and participation.

Considering Indonesia’s role and position in the Southeast Asia region and in short with the Gulf countries, it plays a key role.

Indonesia, as a country with an increasingly important geopolitical role in the Southeast Asia region, is closely observing the global geopolitical impact of the ASEAN-GCC meeting in Saudi Arabia.

There are relevant impacts in the Indonesian context regarding aspects of energy, security, economics and international relations.

Relevant impact on Indonesia

In the energy context, Indonesia is one of the largest oil consuming countries in the world. Therefore, energy supply stability is a strategic priority for the Indonesian government.

The GCC is a major oil producing region and close relations with GCC member countries have a direct impact on Indonesia’s energy security.

An increase in global oil prices or oil supply disruptions could significantly affect the Indonesian economy.

Therefore, the results of the ASEAN-GCC meeting play an important role in assessing Indonesia’s national energy security and in formulating a more sustainable energy policy.

Security is also an important aspect of the ASEAN-GCC meeting. The Gulf region, which is the main focus of the GCC, is often a place of conflict and political tension.

Indonesia has an interest in ensuring stability in the region because tensions and conflicts in the Persian Gulf could have far-reaching impacts in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia’s participation in this meeting is a strategic step in supporting diplomacy and peace in the region.

Indonesia, with its position as a Non-Aligned member and active player in regional diplomacy, has the potential to facilitate dialogue and promote peace in the Gulf region.

The economic impact of this meeting is also significant for Indonesia. As an ASEAN member country, Indonesia is part of a developing economic bloc.

Economic cooperation with GCC countries can open up new opportunities in terms of trade and investment.

Indonesia can seek investment from the GCC in various sectors, which will help increase economic growth and create jobs within the country.

Apart from that, this collaboration can also strengthen Indonesia’s economic relations with the Middle East region, which so far has not been fully explored.

Indonesia’s international relations will be an important factor in managing the geopolitical impact of the ASEAN-GCC meeting.

Indonesia has diverse relationships with countries outside ASEAN and the GCC, including the United States, China and the European Union.

Indonesia is a key player

As a key player in regional diplomacy, Indonesia can play an important role in connecting the ASEAN region with the GCC and other countries.

In an era of geopolitical competition between the United States and China, Indonesia’s position and multilateral relations can be an important means of shaping the direction of greater global geopolitics.

The ASEAN-GCC meeting in Saudi Arabia has a significant global geopolitical impact in the Indonesian context. And Indonesia has a strategic interest in the outcome of this meeting, and active participation in this forum is a positive step.

With a good understanding of its geopolitical implications, Indonesia can take advantage of opportunities to strengthen cooperation with GCC countries and play a role in shaping larger global geopolitical dynamics.

In this way, Indonesia can play an important role in overcoming existing global geopolitical challenges and creating a safer and more stable environment.

The Gulf region is where complex conflicts and security tensions occur, such as the conflict in Yemen and tensions with Iran.

Indonesia has an interest in ensuring stability in the region, as the impact could reach Southeast Asia.

So Indonesia’s participation in the ASEAN-GCC meeting is an effort to build dialogue and cooperation in overcoming this security challenge.

Apart from that, as a country that adheres to the principle of neutrality, Indonesia has an important role in supporting diplomacy and peace in the Gulf region.

Furthermore, the ASEAN-GCC meeting could affect Indonesia’s relations with countries outside the region. Indonesia has quite extensive relations with the GCC countries, the United States and China.

As a key player in regional diplomacy, Indonesia can play an important role in connecting the ASEAN region with the GCC and other countries.

This can help create political coalitions that can influence global policy and peace in interconnected regions.

Taking advantage of Geopolitics

The ASEAN-GCC meeting in Saudi Arabia has a significant geopolitical impact in the Indonesian context. In terms of energy, security, economy and international relations, Indonesia has a strategic interest in the outcome of this meeting.

Indonesia’s participation in this meeting is a positive step towards understanding the geopolitical and economic implications related to the Gulf region.

Indonesia has the opportunity to strengthen cooperation with GCC countries and benefit from this cooperation in various aspects of its national policies.

With a good understanding of its geopolitical impact, Indonesia can play a role in shaping global geopolitical dynamics.

Therefore, this meeting has an important platform, better enabling these regions to discuss issues that affect the world at large, and build cooperation to overcome existing global geopolitical challenges.

One of the most important aspects of the ASEAN-GCC meeting is the central role of the GCC region in the global energy market.

The GCC countries are major oil producers and they play a key role in influencing global energy supplies and oil prices.

This meeting provides an important platform for ASEAN to consider the geopolitical implications of this relationship.

In an era of global energy uncertainty, issues such as oil price fluctuations, sustainability of energy resources, and energy diversification are important topics in this discussion.

The decisions taken at this meeting could have a significant impact on global economic stability, especially for countries that are highly dependent on oil imports.

Meanwhile, the GCC is a key player in stability and security in the Middle East, a region known for complex geopolitical tensions.

This meeting opened the door for ASEAN and the GCC to discuss regional security issues, including conflicts in the Middle East, post-conflict recovery efforts, and the role of each region in overcoming global security challenges such as terrorism.

Regional security and conflict in the Middle East often have global impacts, affecting stability and peace throughout the world.

Therefore, cooperation between these two regions in overcoming security issues can influence global geopolitics as a whole.

The Impact of Geopolitics in an economic context

ASEAN and GCC are two economic blocs that are increasingly developing. This meeting provides an opportunity for both to deepen their economic cooperation.

With significant economic growth in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, cooperation in terms of trade and investment has the potential to shape global economic dynamics.

ASEAN, with its large population and rapid economic growth, is an attractive market for the GCC, which may seek investment opportunities and access to larger markets.

This has an important impact on global trade and investment and has the potential to reshape existing global economic relations.

The ASEAN-GCC meeting also has an impact on broader international relations. The GCC has close ties with global powers such as the United States, China and the European Union, while ASEAN is becoming increasingly important in global politics.

Therefore, this meeting creates an opportunity to form a political coalition that can influence global policy.

For example, in the context of competition between the United States and China, the position and interests of the GCC and ASEAN in terms of trade, security, and energy resources can play a key role in determining the direction of global geopolitics.

The ASEAN-GCC meeting in Saudi Arabia is a geopolitical event that has a very significant global impact.

In the context of energy, security, economics and international relations, this meeting opens the door to discussion of key issues that affect the world at large.

Cooperation between these regions can be a catalyst for overcoming existing global geopolitical challenges.

Therefore, this meeting must be understood as an important platform in efforts to establish cooperation and understand the geopolitical implications in an increasingly connected world.

Over time, the impact of these meetings could shape larger global geopolitical dynamics and create opportunities and challenges for global stakeholders.

(Prof. Dr. Ermaya Suradinata, SH, MH, MS, is the former Director General of Social and Political Affairs of the Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs, Chancellor of IPDN, and former Governor of Lemhannas RI.)