Ashraf Khodjaev
The ancient city of Samarkand, a jewel of the Silk Road and a crossroads of civilizations, and hub for global dialogue is set to welcome another landmark event in international diplomacy- the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Central Asia Strategic Dialogue on 5 May 2025.
It will bring together leaders from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, alongside their counterparts from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. This high-level gathering marks the second GCC-Central Asia summit, following the successful inaugural meeting in Jeddah in 2023. Leaders will engage in substantive discussions on deepening strategic partnerships, enhancing economic collaboration, and unlocking new opportunities in trade, investment, transport, and green energy.
This high-level meeting will serve as a platform to define concrete steps for stronger regional integration, ensuring mutual prosperity and long-term stability between Central Asia and the Gulf. With shared visions for development and connectivity, this meeting promises to open new horizons for cooperation between two of the world’s most dynamic regions.
-Why the GCC-Central Asia Partnership Matters
Central Asian states consolidated their positions on regional cooperation during the High-Level International Conference in Samarkand, laying the groundwork for more systematic collaboration. The emergence of the “Samarkand Consensus” in 2017 stands out as a pivotal development. This initiative gained international recognition in June 2018 when the UN General Assembly adopted a special resolution endorsing regional integration efforts. These milestones created a favorable environment for the subsequent development of more comprehensive frameworks for international cooperation, including the CA-GCC dialogue.
The GCC’s global influence continues to rise, shaped by its economic strength, strategic diversification efforts, and proactive diplomacy amid global challenges – from the Palestinian cause to shifting geopolitical dynamics. Meanwhile, Central Asia is emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, fueled by its young population, vast resources, expanding markets, and strategic location.
The potential for synergy is immense: Transport & Connectivity: Linking GCC ports with Central Asian markets via new corridors like the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian Route) can unlock trade and investment.
Green Economy & Investments: The GCC’s financial power and Central Asian’s renewable energy potential (solar, wind, hydropower) create opportunities for sustainable partnerships.
Cultural & Religious Ties: As Muslim-majority regions, Central Asia and the GCC share deep historical connections that can foster stronger people-to-people bonds.
As the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted: “The positive processes that are observed in the region are increasing interest in Central Asia, turning the region into an important partner of world powers and leading states at the geopolitically important crossroads of the main routes between East and West, North and South. This is reflected in the ‘Central Asia Plus’ formats, which allow us to maintain an open dialogue, creating favourable conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation between all stakeholders”.
-The ‘Central Asia Plus’ Format: A vision of multilateral success
Renowned foreign experts have acknowledged that, in recent years, Central Asia has genuinely become a region of security, stability, and sustainable development, increasing its appeal to international partners.
Currently, the population of Central Asia has exceeded 80 million. The region’s GDP is expected to reach 700 billion US dollars in the next five years.
It is worth highlighting that from the moment Shavkat Mirziyoyev assumed the presidency, he declared Central Asia to be the highest priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy. This led to a fundamental improvement in friendly relations with neighboring countries.
The dream of a New Central Asia is becoming a reality today. The region is rapidly evolving as a hub of economic growth and investment activity. Thanks to unique historical opportunities, Central Asia is becoming a space for mutually beneficial cooperation and sustainable development.
The “CA Plus” dialogue model, actively supported by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has proven to be a game-changer in modern diplomacy. By bringing together Central Asia with the EU, US, China, Japan, Korea, and now the GCC, Uzbekistan along with its neighbors transform the region into a model of successful multipolar cooperation.
The first GCC-Central Asia Summit in Jeddah (2023) laid a strong foundation, with President Mirziyoyev proposing concrete initiatives in trade, infrastructure, and innovation – many of which are already being implemented.
President of Uzbekistan initiated the creation of a Joint Council of Investors, stressed the urgency of creating a free trade zone with the Gulf countries, and also put forward the initiative to establish a single visa-free tourist space ‘Gulf-Central Asia’.
-Uzbekistan’s Transformation: A rising Investment destination
Under President Mirziyoyev’s leadership over the past seven years, Uzbekistan has undergone a remarkable economic and social transformation: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has surged, thanks to liberalized markets, privatization, and investor-friendly reforms.
Strategy 2030 aims to double GDP and elevate living standards, with major projects in infrastructure, industry, and technology. Green energy transition: Uzbekistan is scaling up solar and wind capacity, aiming for 54% renewable energy by 2030.
Critical minerals & Rare Earth Elements: Uzbekistan’s mineral portfolio includes more than 100 types of mineral reserves including gold, copper, uranium, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium and etc. valued at $3.5 trillion. The country has identified over 30 types of Rare Earth Elements – lithium, graphite, indium, vanadium, rhenium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium.
-Qatar: A Regional Industrial and Logistics Hub
Under visionary leadership of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Qatar is poised to become a leading industrial and logistics hub in the Middle East, leveraging its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and robust logistics. Positioned along key trade routes, Qatar perfectly connects Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Hamad International Airport handled 2.7 million tons of cargo in 2024, while Hamad Port manages 7.5 million TEUs annually. Qatar Airways, with a fleet of over 250 aircraft, connects 170+ destinations, transporting 2.8 million tons of cargo in 2024. Landlocked Central Asian nations, such as Uzbekistan, can partner with Qatar to produce textiles, construction materials, appliances, and pharmaceuticals. These ventures would access Middle Eastern and African markets, where demand is growing very fast.
Industrial hubs align with Qatar National Vision 2030, diversifying the economy, creating jobs, and generating new revenue. The Middle East with population expected to grow to 600 million population by 2030 and Africa offer significant market potential.
Qatar’s location, infrastructure, and logistics make it an ideal hub for Central Asian partnerships, driving economic growth and market access across the Middle East and Africa.
-A New Chapter in GCC-Central Asia Relations
The upcoming Samarkand Summit is more than a diplomatic meeting – it is a historic opportunity to strengthen connectivity between two dynamic regions.
The summit opens new perspectives for strategic partnership between Central Asia and the GCC, especially in the areas of trade, investment, transport and green economy. The signing of the joint declaration will provide a solid basis for long-term co-operation that meets the challenges of modernity and the interests of the parties. The combined GDP of Central Asian and GCC countries is projected to reach approximately $2.7 trillion USD in 2025, reflecting their significant economic contributions driven by natural resources and diversification efforts. However, enhanced collaboration between the two regions could unlock significant opportunities to strengthen the economic potential of Central Asia and the GCC.
For GCC, a global investor and growing powerhouse, Central Asia offers a gateway to 80 million consumers and resource-rich markets. Together, both regions can build a future of shared prosperity, connectivity, and sustainable growth.
