The State of Qatar has always been keen to promote and strengthen cohesion and cooperation of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the benefit of its peoples and the region. The state has advocated increased cooperation in the bloc and the region based on respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and promoting the common interests.
As Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has said, stability in the Gulf region is essential not only to it, but to the entire international community. In fact, with the fast economic growth witnessed by all GCC countries, further integration of the bloc would go a long way in benefitting the people and the region.
The GCC leaders are once again gathering in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the 18th Consultative Meeting of Their Majesties and Highnesses leaders of GCC. The event will also coincide with the GCC-Central Asia Summit. H H the Amir is leading Qatar's delegation at the two meetings. The GCC-Central Asia Summit will be attended by leaders from the GCC and the five Central Asian nations: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The GCC- Central Asia summit comes months after a similar GCC summit with China. It will help open new horizons of cooperation between the two regions.
The summit will discuss boosting links in the fields of trade and investment, energy, education, scientific research, industry, agriculture, tourism and culture.
Additionally, the leaders will address several regional and international issues of mutual interest, including supporting stability, enhancing security in the Gulf and Central Asia region, Islamic solidarity, countering extremism and terrorism and Islamophobia as well as other issues of common concerns. The summit is expected to adopt the Joint Action Plan for the period of 2023-2027. This plan was presented to the summit by the first Joint Ministerial Meeting between the GCC and the Central Asian countries, which took place in Riyadh last year.
The summit with Central Asian states, and the previous meetings with the US and China, reflect the vision of the leaders of the GCC countries to form partnerships and strengthen the region’s position globally. Over the past few decades, GCC has strengthened its cohesion and integration with simplified travel and visa regimes for their citizens and residents as well as other measures. However, a huge potential exists for further economic integration of the bloc and make travel between the member states easier. With the keenness of the GCC leaders, a more-integrated and prosperous future awaits the region.
