KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- The second Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)–Central Asia Summit, set to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan next month, is expected to adopt new strategic documents aimed at deepening regional cooperation through joint projects and enhanced institutional frameworks for collaboration.
In a statement, Alisher Kadirov, Head of Division at the Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, said the summit will prioritise collaboration in areas such as digitisation, innovation, artificial intelligence, the sustainable economy, and smart agriculture.
“Uzbekistan, as the host country, is actively preparing for the summit, drawing on its experience in organising other international events.
“One of the key tasks in preparing for the summit is ensuring continuity and further development of the outcomes achieved during the first summit, as well as formulating a long-term cooperation strategy that considers the interests of all participating countries and addresses modern challenges,” he said.
The second GCC-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand is following the successful hosting of the first historic summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in July 2023.
At the Jeddah Summit, GCC and Central Asian leaders emphasised the need for continued political coordination to achieve regional and international security and stability.
Kadirov said the choice of Samarkand – one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, with a rich history and cultural heritage – as the venue is symbolic.
“For centuries, this city (Samarkand) has served as a key hub for commercial ties, intellectual progress and international diplomacy,” said Kadirov.
According to him, economic collaboration and investments represent a fundamental area of interaction between the GCC and Central Asia.
One of the key factors driving GCC countries' interest in Central Asia is their desire to diversify their economies and reduce dependence on the oil and gas sector.
In this context, the long-term development strategies adopted by all Gulf countries – aimed at creating oil-independent economies and investing in green technologies – resonate with Central Asian states, which view the GCC's innovative progress as an attractive development model, Kadirov said.
-- BERNAMA
