Dr. Abdul Aziz Ahmad, the Ambassador of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led a delegation of Ambassadors/Heads of Mission of MIKTA countries (from Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, and Australia) in order to meet H.E. Mr. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, who is the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), accompanied by Dr. Abdulaziz Aluwaisheg, Assistant Secretary General of the GCC for Political Affairs and Negotiation, at the GCC Secretariat building, Riyadh.
MIKTA is a collaboration made up of Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, and Australia that was founded on the fringes of the 2013 UN General Assembly session in New York, according to the Indonesian ambassador at the meeting. Additionally, Ambassador Aziz outlined the goals of the Indonesian Chairmanship of MIKTA in 2023, which include advancing inclusive recovery, digital transformation, and strengthening multilateralism.
The meeting also covered a variety of topics that concerned everyone. The necessity of competitive and effective energy markets, food security, the need for an affordable path to the clean energy transition, and the significance of open economic policies in building a robust cross-regional economy were just a few of the worldwide economic issues that were discussed. One of the key subjects of conversation was the potential for collaboration between MIKTA and the GCC.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Ahmad, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Riyadh, stated in a statement that the meeting is a very important first step in bolstering cooperation between MIKTA and the GCC. In addition to advancing their objectives of supporting peace and stability in the area and globally, they anticipate that this cooperation would greatly benefit both parties, said Ambassador Aziz.
H.E. Mr. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, the Secretary General of the GCC, extended his gratitude to the MIKTA Ambassadors for initiating contact with the GCC Secretariat. It is probable that the two sides will address the specifics of their proposed cooperation in the near future, signalling that there is a strong commitment to bolster cooperation between the GCC and MIKTA in a number of disciplines.
The delegation included the Ambassadors from Mexico, H.E. Mr. Anibal Gomez-Toledo, the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Park Joon-yong, the Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Mr. Mark Donovan, and Mr. Muratcan Akel, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy.
MIKTA is a diversified group of middle powers that work together to make a bigger impact on the world stage than they could individually. The group meets three times a year: once at the UNGA, at the G20 summit, and once in the country that holds the rotating chair.