Tashkent to Host Central Asia–Gulf Expert Roundtable Ahead of Upcoming Regional Summit
Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: On April 21–22, the International Institute for Central Asia, in collaboration with the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation, will convene a high-level roundtable in Tashkent, bringing together leading experts and scholars from Central Asia and member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The roundtable is being held in advance of the Second Summit of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Gulf, which is set to take place in Samarkand on May 5. The Tashkent forum will provide an essential platform for in-depth expert analysis and dialogue to support the preparatory process for this significant international gathering.
Approximately 40 renowned experts from top-tier analytical, diplomatic, and academic institutions are expected to participate. The participating countries include Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. The forum will welcome representatives from both government-affiliated and independent research centers, as well as specialized universities.
The roundtable will focus on key areas of mutual interest between Central Asia and the GCC, including transportation and regional connectivity, energy cooperation, food security, and climate resilience. These critical issues reflect the growing importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing shared regional and global challenges.
The forum aims to produce concrete policy recommendations and foster greater understanding between the regions. The conclusions drawn and proposals developed during the expert discussions will be formally presented at a press briefing, which will be attended by members of the diplomatic community, academic institutions, and representatives of the media.
This initiative underscores the commitment of both Central Asian and GCC countries to deepen dialogue and cooperation, laying the groundwork for meaningful outcomes at the forthcoming summit in Samarkand.
