The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries will come together on May 5 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking a major milestone in relations between the two sides.
Preparations to the summit was discussed at the third ministerial meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Central Asian countries, held on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) in Kuwait City.
The meeting was co-chaired by Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait and Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Foreign Affairs Ministers from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait from GCC and Central Asia countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan attended the third meeting.
"Since the inaugural summit between the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Central Asian countries, held in July 2023 in Jeddah, we have observed tangible progress that underscores the commitment of both sides to translating the summit’s outcomes into concrete actions," - said Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC.
He emphasized that this meeting served to strengthen the partnership between the two sides, noting that relations have seen significant progress across various fields in recent years.
These efforts are being carried out in alignment with the Joint Action Plan for the period 2023–2027, which encompasses key areas such as political and security dialogue, economy, trade and investment, education, health, culture and media, as well as youth and sports.
The volume of trade in goods between GCC and Central Asian countries has reached approximately USD 10 billion, while investment flows have been significant, as well. Both sides expressed hope that both trade and investment will continue to grow sustainably in the coming years.
"The aim is to strengthen economic partnerships and explore investment opportunities between the two sides. We look forward to hosting the second Investment Forum in Kyrgyzstan on June 30, 2025, and participating in a session focused on the prospects for relations between both sides at the Astana International Forum in Kazakhstan on May 29, 2025," - Secretary General stated.
The Secretary General also commended the positions of the Central Asian countries on issues in the Middle East, noting that these positions have earned deep appreciation and respect from the GCC. He emphasized that these positions have been characterized by balance and genuine support, reflecting a profound understanding of the importance of solidarity in finding effective solutions to regional and international crises.
In this context, he further stated: 'On numerous occasions, the Central Asian countries have expressed their support for Arab issues, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, and have endorsed United Nations resolutions aimed at ending the occupation and achieving a just and lasting peace, in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy.'"
He welcomed the tripartite agreement between the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding the demarcation of the trilateral international border, and the signing of the Khujand Declaration on eternal friendship between the three countries.
He also welcomed the peace agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia, reaffirming the Gulf Cooperation Council’s full support for all efforts aimed at resolving disputes through peaceful means and promoting platforms for constructive dialogue.
This position reflects the GCC’s conviction that security, stability, and regional cooperation constitute fundamental pillars for building a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
The second meeting of customs leaders from Central Asia and China was held in Almaty, focusing on digitalization, AI integration, border crossing agreements, and expanding cooperation to strengthen regional trade and logistics.
Islamic finance assets in Central Asia are forecast to grow from $285 million in 2022 to $6.3 billion by 2033, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan leading the regional expansion due to high demand, population growth, and policy reforms.
The World Bank has approved a $200 million concessional credit to help Uzbekistan modernize its irrigation and drainage infrastructure, aiming to cut water losses and improve energy efficiency across five regions.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reaffirmed strong bilateral ties and strategic cooperation ahead of the upcoming Turkic States Summit.
During President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Budapest, Uzbekistan and Hungary agreed on over €1.5 billion in new joint projects and outlined further cooperation in trade, finance, and culture.
Iran and the United States ended their fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome with some progress but no resolution, according to the mediator from Oman.
Despite warnings from FEMA that offering aid to migrants might violate smuggling laws, shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border continue to receive individuals released by ICE, creating confusion and concern among nonprofits.
Russia is preparing to present Ukraine with a draft peace proposal once a recent prisoner swap concludes, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Friday, signaling a potential step forward in peace efforts.
Boeing has struck a deal with the U.S. Justice Department to avoid criminal charges over the 737 Max tragedies, agreeing to pay over $1.1 billion in penalties, victim support, and safety reforms.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
In a region long defined by conflict and complex history, AnewZ set out to hear the voices that matter most- those of the people.
Two staff members from the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.- Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were shot and killed on Wednesday night by a lone gunman as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, close to the White House.
Despite warnings from FEMA that offering aid to migrants might violate smuggling laws, shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border continue to receive individuals released by ICE, creating confusion and concern among nonprofits.
Afghanistan is stepping up calls for international climate support as NEPA chief Mawlawi Matiulhaq Khalis leads talks on rising food insecurity and water shortages, warning of severe environmental threats including Kabul’s looming groundwater crisis.
Syria’s General Directorate of Ports announced Thursday the signing of a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s Fidi Contracting Company to develop over 1 million square meters across two key free trade zones, marking a major step in Syria’s bid to attract foreign investment.
Iran and the United States resumed nuclear negotiations in Rome on Friday, with uranium enrichment remaining the core sticking point in a bid to revive diplomacy and ease economic sanctions on Tehran.
Iran and the United States ended their fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome with some progress but no resolution, according to the mediator from Oman.
Despite warnings from FEMA that offering aid to migrants might violate smuggling laws, shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border continue to receive individuals released by ICE, creating confusion and concern among nonprofits.
Russia is preparing to present Ukraine with a draft peace proposal once a recent prisoner swap concludes, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Friday, signaling a potential step forward in peace efforts.
Boeing has struck a deal with the U.S. Justice Department to avoid criminal charges over the 737 Max tragedies, agreeing to pay over $1.1 billion in penalties, victim support, and safety reforms.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment