Gulf and Central Asian Nations Forge Strategic Alliance to Confront Political and Economic Challenges

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Owaisheg, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the Gulf Cooperation Council, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in hosting the first summit between the Gulf countries and Central Asia in Jeddah. He highlighted that Saudi Arabia is one of the most interested countries in enhancing this partnership.

His remarks were made during a statement to the Saudi Press Agency “SPA” on the sidelines of a seminar titled “Relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Central Asia – Objectives and Foundations of Comprehensive Cooperation”, held at the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh.

Al-Owaisheg explained that the partnership between the two sides is based on a joint action plan approved during the Jeddah summit, which includes six main areas. These areas include political, security, and economic cooperation, as well as education, health, culture, youth, and sports.

He also pointed out that despite the lack of direct land or sea transportation routes, strategic cooperation between the two regions has made tangible progress. The volume of trade between the two sides has increased tenfold over the past eight years, with growing investments especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors, which are priority areas for the countries of Central Asia.