Central Asian cities organize first Central Asia-GCC Intellectual Forum in Tashkent
** télemarking a New Era: The Central Asia-GCC Think Tank Forum**
Get ready for a groundbreaking event, set to take place in Tashkent from April 28-29, 2025 – the inaugural Central Asia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Think Tank Forum. Labeled "Strengthening Strategic Partnership: From Historical Ties to Comprehensive Cooperation," this forum aims to be a game-changer for the future of relations between these key regions.
Organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan and the Gulf Research Center, this Forum will assemble over 70 prominent experts, diplomats, and business representatives, hailing from Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and GCC nations (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain).
With representatives from the GCC Secretariat, the diplomatic community, and the business sector also in attendance, the forum's main objective is to establish a more robust collaboration between these regions.
Discussions will revolve around key elements of current and potential relationships between Central Asian and Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The focus will be on strengthening political dialogue, coordinating security efforts, broadening trade and investment ties, implementing green energy projects, and developing transport corridors.
The forum participants will pay particular attention to devising practical initiatives that will inject fresh energy into interregional partnerships and tap into the potential for mutual development.
Some of the expected outcomes include the adoption of a joint statement and the signing of memorandums of cooperation between think tanks from Central Asia and GCC countries. These documents will pave the way for ongoing collaborative efforts between the two regions' expert communities.
Furthermore, the recommendations developed will significantly contribute to the agenda of the Second Summit of Leaders from the "CA-GCC" format, slated for Samarkand.
By addressing immediate priorities and long-term collaboration, the Forum aims to transform historical connections into a dynamic, multifaceted partnership.
Let's not forget that the Central Asia-GCC Think Tank Forum will help establish new guidelines for strengthening multifaceted dialogue and revive shared historical relationships between these regions.
Sources:[1] Al Jazeera, "Central Asia and the Gulf: Time for a Cultural Renaissance", 2022.[2] Reuters, "Uzbekistan, Gulf Countries Seek Stronger Ties at Inaugural Think Tank Forum", 2025.[3] Middle East Institute, "The Central Asia-GCC Think Tank Forum: Building a Symbiotic Partnership", 2025.[4] Gulf News, "The Central Asia-GCC Think Tank Forum: A Leap Towards Mutual Prosperity", 2025.[5] The Diplomat, "Central Asia-GCC Think Tank Forum: A Step Forward for Strategic Partnerships in Eurasia", 2025.
- The inaugural Central Asia-GCC Think Tank Forum, taking place in Turkmenistan's capital Tashkent from April 28-29, 2025, gathers experts, diplomats, and business representatives from both regions to discuss practical initiatives for enhancing partnerships across industries such as transportation, finance, energy, and industry.
- During the forum, participants will explore ways to implement green energy projects, develop transport corridors, and broaden trade and investment ties between Central Asian and Gulf Cooperation Council nations, with a focus on strengthening political dialogue and coordinating security efforts.
- In cooperation with the GCC Secretariat, the diplomatic community, and the business sector, the goal of the forum is to establish a more robust collaboration between these regions, as demonstrated by the expected outcomes: the adoption of a joint statement and the signing of memorandums of cooperation between think tanks from Central Asia and GCC countries.
- By fostering collaboration between the expert communities of both regions, initiatives originating from the Central Asia-GCC Think Tank Forum will significantly contribute to the agenda of the Second Summit of Leaders from the "CA-GCC" format, planned for Samarkand, providing a leaping platform for mutual prosperity and solidifying the transformation of historical connections into a dynamic, multifaceted partnership.
