GCC Secretary General Engages in Central Asia-GCC Strategic Dialogue Foreign Ministerial Meeting

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), reiterated the significance of the Second Foreign Ministerial Meeting of the Central Asia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue in bolstering joint action and fostering consultation and cooperation mechanisms between the participating nations.

Albudaiwi delivered his remarks during the second ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between GCC countries and Central Asian countries, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The meeting was chaired by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and President of the current session of the Ministerial Council, alongside Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

The gathering was attended by Foreign Ministers from both the Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries.

Expressing gratitude to the leadership, government, and people of Uzbekistan for their warm hospitality, Albudaiwi emphasized the historic significance of the meeting. He noted that it follows the landmark summit hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah City in July 2023, which laid the groundwork for future cooperation between GCC and Central Asian countries.

The Secretary General highlighted the necessity for intensified communication and coordination in light of unprecedented global challenges in political, economic, security, and social realms. He recalled the joint statement issued at the first ministerial meeting in September 2022, affirming the commitment to establish a robust partnership based on shared values, interests, and historical ties.

A joint cooperation action plan for the period 2023-2027 was approved during the meeting, aiming to enhance cooperation across various sectors, including political and security dialogue, economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as collaboration in education, health, culture, media, youth, and sports.

Albudaiwi emphasized the importance of consultation on regional and international issues, trade, investment, culture, education, scientific research, environment, and health to align common visions.

Highlighting the foundations of the GCC partnership with Central Asian countries, Albudaiwi underscored the commitment to ensuring joint success, establishing effective partnerships, enhancing communication between peoples, opening markets, promoting economic activities, conserving energy, strengthening the digital economy, and facilitating the flow of energy resources.

The meeting signifies the commitment of both regions to deepen cooperation and address shared challenges, paving the way for enhanced collaboration and mutual prosperity.