By Rehan Khan
TASHKENT, Apr 24 (APP): The capital city of Uzbekistan is set to host the First Central Asia–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Think Tank Forum on April 28–29, 2025, under the theme “Strengthening Strategic Partnership: From Historical Ties to Comprehensive Cooperation.”
Jointly organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan and the Gulf Research Center of Saudi Arabia, the high-profile event will gather more than 70 prominent experts from across Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and GCC member states such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
The forum is poised to mark a significant milestone in fostering cooperation between the two dynamic regions. In addition to think tank representatives, participants will include officials from the GCC Secretariat, members of the diplomatic corps, and figures from the business community.
Participants will deliberate on key aspects of bilateral and multilateral collaboration, with a particular focus on enhancing political dialogue, advancing regional security through coordinated approaches, and boosting economic cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, and transport connectivity.
The event will develop actionable proposals to inject new momentum into interregional ties. Discussions will also explore the potential for joint development initiatives that align with the shared historical and cultural heritage of both regions.
Among the key outcomes anticipated from the forum are the adoption of a joint statement and the signing of memorandums of cooperation between leading think tanks of Central Asia and the GCC. These agreements are expected to establish a framework for sustained engagement and institutional collaboration among expert communities.
Insights and policy recommendations emerging from the forum will also feed into the agenda of the upcoming Second CA–GCC Leaders’ Summit, scheduled to take place in Samarkand.
By reviving historical bonds and charting new pathways for cooperation, the Tashkent forum is set to become a cornerstone in building a resilient and forward-looking partnership between Central Asia and the Gulf region.