Opportunities and Challenges for Asian-Arabian Ties 9789812306524

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opportunities and challenges for asian-arabian ties

The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) was established as an autonomous organization in 1968. It is a regional centre dedicated to the study of socio-political, security, and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic environment. The Institute’s research programmes are the Regional Economic Studies (RES, including ASEAN and APEC), Regional Strategic and Political Studies (RSPS), and Regional Social and Cultural Studies (RSCS). ISEAS Publications, an established academic press, has issued more than 1,000 books and journals. It is the largest scholarly publisher of research about Southeast Asia from within the region. ISEAS Publications works with many other academic and trade publishers and distributors to disseminate important research and analyses from and about Southeast Asia to the rest of the world.

Singapore Lecture 11 April 2006

opportunities and challenges for asian-arabian ties

Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud

Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore

Published in Singapore in 2006 by ISEAS Publications Institute of Southeast Asian Studies 30 Heng Mui Keng Terrace Pasir Panjang Singapore 119614 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg © 2006 Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore ISEAS Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. Opportunities and challenges for Asian-Arabian ties. (Singapore lecture, 0129-1912 ; 28th) 1. Arab countries—Foreign economic relations—Asia. 2. Asia—Foreign economic relations—Arab countries. I. Title II. Series: Singapore lecture series ; 28th. DS501 I597 no. 28 2006 ISBN 981-230-390-1 ISSN 0129-1912 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo­copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Typeset by International Typesetters Pte. Ltd. Printed in Singapore by Seng Lee Press Pte. Ltd.

CONTENTS

I

Opening Address

Goh Chok Tong

1

II

Opportunities and Challenges for Asian-Arabian Ties

Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud

3

III

Closing Remarks

K. Kesavapany

8

I Opening Address Goh Chok Tong

Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: I am pleased to welcome all of you to the 28th Singapore Lecture. For the last 25 years, the Singapore Lecture series has provided a platform for eminent statesmen and leaders to share their insights on strategic and global issues. Today it is our privilege to have His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, address us. This is His Royal Highnessʼ first official visit to Singapore. It signifies an important milestone in bilateral relations. We are particularly pleased to welcome His Royal Highness at a time when ties between Singapore and Saudi Arabia are expanding. Our two countries are stepping up mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening our partnership. Asia and the Middle East are emerging vibrant regions. We complement one another and are therefore natural partners. His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, recently made Asia the destination of his first overseas visit. Now, His Royal Highness is visiting Japan and Singapore. We in Asia are happy to welcome Saudi Arabiaʼs interest in deepening engagement with us.

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Over the course of a long and distinguished career, His Royal Highness has held many key appointments and has been at the forefront of many important changes in Saudi Arabia. In addition to current appointments, His Royal Highness has served as Governor of Riyadh, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Communications and Second Deputy Prime Minister. Under His Royal Highnessʼ visionary leadership and wise guidance, Saudi Arabia has witnessed the development and modernization of its armed forces, and agriculture, transport, and telecommunications infrastructure. His Royal Highness is also well known for his humanitarian and philanthropic contributions. His Royal Highness founded the Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Foundation. His Royal Highness is also deeply committed to improving the lives of the sick, the elderly, the needy, and the illiterate. As Chairman of the Higher Council for Islamic Affairs, His Royal Highness has been active in promoting the interests of Muslim communities around the world. In addition, His Royal Highness is a strong proponent of the educational and scientific development of Saudi Arabia, particularly its youth, and has initiated the idea of building a state-of-the-art science and technology centre in Saudi Arabia. His Royal Highness also has a keen interest in the conservation of wildlife indigenous to Saudi Arabia and is founder and Chairman of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation. Through His Royal Highnessʼ generosity and dedication, the lives of many have changed for the better. It is now my pleasure to invite His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud to deliver the 28th Singapore Lecture entitled “Opportunities and Challenges for Asian-Arabian Ties”.

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II Opportunities and Challenges for Asian-Arabian Ties Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud

In the name of God the most Merciful Companion. Your Excellency Mr Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests. Peace be upon you, and good evening. In addressing this distinguished audience, I would like to start by expressing my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the friendly government and people of Singapore for their generous hospitality which I and the accompanying delegation have received. I am also pleased to expand the bilateral cooperation between our two countries, as we signed yesterday a number of agreements and memoranda pertaining to trade cooperation, investment promotion and guarantees, bilateral political consultations and establishing a Saudi-Singaporean business council. We are in a new era of Asian-Arabian cooperation. The relations between the countries of the two regions are witnessing an excellent development. The volume of commercial exchange has tripled in the last few years. The tourism business is seeing increasing numbers as well. The recent visits of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to a number of Asian states have come to emphasize the support of Saudi Arabia to this trend. Your friendly statesʼ initiative in starting dialogue between Asia and the Middle

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East last year was aimed at the enactment of ties, the deepening of mutual understanding, and the support of opportunities for bilateral cooperation to serve common interests. Through the world community, this initiative would contribute to achieving more development and modernization for human civilization facing the challenges posed by globalization and to serve international peace and security. Before exploring available opportunities for the enhancement of Asian-Arabian cooperation, I would like to point out that the success of development programmes and the increase in common economic interests will lessen the sharpness of tensions among states and will drive away the danger of conflicts. Understandably, any tense and unstable situation in one part of the world will negatively affect other parts. This, in turn, will lead to slowing the development rate and will surely hamper development programmes. The increasing rate of development in the economies of a number of Asian and Arab countries makes it incumbent on us to enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas and maximize benefits from available opportunities in order to achieve common interests. In the area of trade exchange and investment between the two regions, there is an expectation for achieving great development. There is a developing segment of people with middle income which will definitely contribute to a constant increase of commercial volume between the two regions. In the area of investment, there are a number of giant projects which are being executed or planned in the two regions. In this context, it is important to mention the expedient programmes of privatization in a number of Arab and Asian countries. For example, right now in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, huge

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programmes in this field are being executed which are either totally owned by the private sector or gradually moving from rent to ownership. This includes sectors like water desalinization and treatment, electricity generation, gas exploration and use, exploring and manufacturing minerals, telecommunications, air transportation, airports and sea ports. This is besides what the private sector offers in various areas. The development of recourses and the economic prospering are the two main aspects for a better future in the developing countries. In this regard, I would like to proudly mention the unique experience of the friendly Republic of Singapore. Hers is a distinct model of development by all measures. The Republic of Singapore, along with a number of Asian countries with similar achievements, are well positioned to contribute in this field through cooperation with countries that are planning to develop their economies. In this respect, the development of human resources must have priority in development programmes. There is no doubt that cultural exchange and cooperation in various academic, professional, and technological aspects will support economic development in our countries. It will also contribute directly to the improvement in living standards of our nations. Based on the responsibility of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and her influential position in the world oil markets, she has worked constantly to fulfil her promises in stabilizing world oil markets in order to support the development of the world economy. Hence, the Kingdom has started executing an ambitious programme to increase its production capacity to meet the increasing demand for oil. This programme costs over fifty billion US dollars. When this programme is fully developed, the production capacity will reach 12 million–and–a–half barrels a day. The programme includes, among

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other things, a big expansion in capacity for oil refining inside as well as outside the Kingdom. Based on the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi Arabia has worked on establishing the International Energy Forum and hosting its General Secretariat in Riyadh. The purpose is to become the platform for discussing the possibilities and opportunities of cooperation and dialogue between the consuming and producing countries, whether they are from OPEC or not. We are hopeful that the whole world will gain the maximum benefit from this Forum. After addressing the possibilities of Asian-Arabian economic and commercial cooperation, let me briefly talk about the most important challenges facing us. As I mentioned earlier, our contemporary world makes it incumbent upon us to unite our international efforts in facing these challenges. In the Middle East, for example, the Arab-Israeli conflict is still waiting for a just and comprehensive solution within the international legal framework. We are so hopeful that this will take place according to the initiative put forward by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz which was adopted by both the Fourteenth Arab Summit in Beirut in 2002 and the Road Map. We are aspiring for security and stability in Iraq, its unity and independence within secure borders so as to be able through the participation of all its groups to stand up and occupy its proper place in the Arab and world community. Dear Friends, the disease of terrorism is one of the most important challenges facing us all nowadays. Fighting terrorism is no longer a domestic matter that can be dealt with within oneʼs borders. It has become one of the objectives of the world community. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in all the world forums, has emphasized its strong rejection and condemnation of all forms of terrorism.

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Terrorist actions are in grave violation of the teachings and values of Islam. The kingdom has strongly expressed her determination to continue to exert all possible efforts in combating this disease and whoever helps in financing or inciting terrorism. In this respect, Saudi Arabia had called for an international conference to fight terrorism. This conference took place in Riyadh in 2005. It issued important recommendations, among which was the proposal of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to establish an international centre for combating terrorism, which we hope the United Nations will adopt. In view of the fast unfolding of events and developments in the world community, it is imperative that we unite our international efforts and work hard to explain the importance of dialogue. We are in dire need of raising the level of understanding and communication among nations and civilizations. We need to spread the culture of peace, affirm the principles of justice, tolerance, and equity among people and nations. Indeed, we dearly need to reject violence, injustice, and all forms of racial discrimination. The moral values standing on these great principles which are enjoyed by our two friendly nations beside their development experiences and overcoming challenges will make us so certain that the future of our relations is very promising. We are sure that the relations among the countries of both regions will see more development and that both will flourish in all fields. In the end, I would like to extend my thanks to all of you. You have been kind to attend. I would like also to thank the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies for kindly inviting me to meet you all this evening. May peace be with you.

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III Closing Remarks K. Kesavapany

Mr Chairman; His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mr Wong Ah Long, Deputy Chairman, ISEAS; Excellencies; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen: We wish to express our deep appreciation for the eloquent 28th Singapore Lecture, entitled “Opportunities and Challenges for Asian-Arabian Ties”, delivered by HRH Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. It has given us much food for thought. The visit by His Royal Highness has further strengthened the already excellent bilateral relations. Either by sheer coincidence or because we think alike, our two countries have been recently travelling the same path. Just as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is focusing on building its relations with Asia, so too has Singapore concentrated on enhancing its relations with the Middle East and with Saudi Arabia. The launch of the Asia–Middle East Dialogue (AMED) last year has helped to institutionalize the process of cooperation between our two regions. It provides the bridge across which trade, investments, and business can now flow. In this context, the launch of the East Asia Summit has completed the networks of relations between Southeast, South, and Northeast Asia. Together with AMED, this links up the EAS regions and West Asia. Besides the institutional linkages, there are also the historic

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ties of Islam as well as the energy supply and demand networks. So now that the linkages are in place, it is up to the peoples, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and institutes like ISEAS to create the substance and content of a vibrant, active, and rich cooperation between both sides. We look forward to the opportunities to work with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in various projects, such as in the planning and building of the King Abdullah Economic City, and in the education of Saudi students in Singapore universities. We welcome Saudi Arabiaʼs “Look East Policy”, which carries much promise to further strengthen links with Southeast Asia. The Singapore Lecture by HRH Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud clearly points out the future directions of our cooperation, and we in ISEAS thank His Royal Highness for the inspiration and the motivation to deepen our cooperation. It is now my pleasure to invite Mr Wong Ah Long, Deputy Chairman, to present a gift from ISEAS as a small token of our appreciation. We hope the gift would remind you of your visit to Singapore.

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SULTAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ AL-SAUD His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud is the son of the late King Abdul Aziz Bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His Royal Highness is also the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence and Aviation, and Inspector General. Born on 11 October 1931 in Riyadh, His Royal Highness received regular and court education in religion, modern culture, and diplomacy. He was tutored by great ulamas (religious scholars) at his fatherʼs palace. His education was supplemented by extensive reading in many fields of knowledge as well as visits to various countries of the world. He was a member of most Saudi delegations headed by the late King Faisal to Arab and Islamic summit conferences and United Nations General Assembly sessions as well as a member of most of His Majestyʼs state visits. Prince Sultan headed official delegations on various state visits, including the Kingdomʼs delegation to the United Nationʼs 40th, 50th, and 60th anniversaries in 1985, 1995, and 2005. His Royal Highness has a rich record in charity work. One of the notable charities set up and funded by him is the Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Foundation Charity. The foundation has several humanitarian and social objectives, such as the provision of healthcare and rehabilitation to the handicapped and elderly persons, the creation of convalescent rehabilitation and nursing centres to provide specialized advanced medical services, and the conduct of research in the fields of medical humanitarian works in co-operation with international research centres. The foundation achieves its goals through projects and activities such as the Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Humanitarian City, the worldʼs largest rehabilitation complex that

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contains a centre for medical check-ups, laboratories, and radiation therapy sections. Another of his charities is the Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Private Committee for Relief. This committee organizes relief and medical convoys and sets up camps to combat diseases like malaria and blindness. It has carried out several developmental, social, and medical projects, such as digging wells, building schools, public libraries, mosques, and hospitals, and establishing dialysis centres. It also sponsors Muslim preachers in Ethiopia, Chad, Niger, Malawi, Mali, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, and Indonesia. His Royal Highness received honorary doctorates from the Islamic University in Malaysia in 2000 and from Jazeera University in Sudan in 2001.

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THE SINGAPORE LECTURE SERIES

Inaugural Singapore Lecture 14 October 1980 The Invisible Hand in Economics and Politics by MILTON FRIEDMAN 2nd Singapore Lecture 30 October 1981 American Foreign Policy: A Global View by HENRY KISSINGER 3rd Singapore Lecture 2 December 1982 Peace and East-West Relations by GISCARD DʼESTAING 4th Singapore Lecture 10 November 1983 The Soviet Union: Challenges and Responses as Seen from the European Point of View by HELMUT SCHMIDT 5th Singapore Lecture 8 November 1984 The Western Alliance: Its Future and Its Implications for Asia by JOSEPH M.A.H. LUNS 6th Singapore Lecture 5 December 1985 Deficits, Debts, and Demographics: Three Fundamentals Affecting Our Long-Term Economic Future by PETER G. PETERSON

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13 7th Singapore Lecture 25 November 1986 Trends in the International Financial System by RAYMOND BARRE 8th Singapore Lecture 27 November 1987 The Challenge of Change in the Asia-Pacific Region by BOB HAWKE 9th Singapore Lecture 14 December 1988 Regionalism, Globalism and Spheres of Influence: ASEAN and the Challenge of Change into the 21st Century by MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 10th Singapore Lecture 15 October 1989 Trade Outlook: Globalization or Regionalization by BRIAN MULRONEY 11th Singapore Lecture 3 April 1991 International Economic Developments by R.F.M. LUBBERS 12th Singapore Lecture 4 January 1992 U.S. Policy in the Asia-Pacific Region: Meeting the Challenges of the Post Cold-War Era by GEORGE BUSH 13th Singapore Lecture 8 September 1994 India and the Asia-Pacific: Forging a New Relationship by P.V. NARASIMHA RAO

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14 14th Singapore Lecture 17 January 1996 Australia, Asia and the New Regionalism by PAUL KEATING 15th Singapore Lecture 14 January 1997 Reforms for the New Era of Japan and ASEAN: For a Broader and Deeper Partnership by RYUTARO HASHIMOTO 16th Singapore Lecture 6 March 1997 South and Southern Africa into the Next Century by NELSON R. MANDELA 17th Singapore Lecture 30 November 1999 China and Asia in the New Century by ZHU RONGJI 18th Singapore Lecture 14 February 2000 Global Values: The United Nations and the Rule of Law in the 21st Century by KOFI A. ANNAN 19th Singapore Lecture 27 November 2000 Peace on the Korean Peninsula and East Asia by KIM DAE-JUNG 20th Singapore Lecture 14 January 2002 Japan and ASEAN in East Asia: A Sincere and Open Partnership by JUNICHIRO KOIZUMI

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15 21st Singapore Lecture 9 April 2002 Indiaʼs Perspectives on ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Region by ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE 22nd Singapore Lecture 6 July 2002 EU-Asia: Sharing Diversity in an Inter-regional Partnership by ROMANO PRODI 23rd Singapore Lecture 13 May 2003 Investments into the Future: State and Economy at the Beginning of the 21st Century by GERHARD SCHRÖDER 24th Singapore Lecture 30 April 2004 Global Challenges in the 21st Century: A View from Chile by RICARDO LAGOS 25th Singapore Lecture 16 February 2005 Indonesia: The Challenge of Change by SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO 26th Singapore Lecture 21 April 2005 Africaʼs Season of Hope: The Dawn of a New Africa-Asia Partnership by THABO MVUYELWA MBEKI 27th Singapore Lecture 1 February 2006 Evolution of Enlightened Societies by A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

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16 28th Singapore Lecture 11 April 2006 Opportunities and Challenges for Asian-Arabian Ties by SULTAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ AL-SAUD

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