President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev embarked on an official visit to Saudi Arabia on July 19 to participate in the inaugural Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Central Asian countries summit. The summit, held in Jeddah and chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, aimed to foster closer ties and enhance cooperation between the Gulf countries and Central Asian nations.
Prior to the summit, on July 18, president Tokayev paid a visit to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, the second holiest site in Islam located in Medina. The president took the opportunity to make a ziyarat, or a pilgrimage, to the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad, a deeply significant and revered act for Muslims.
The Central Asia-GCC summit for Arab States, commonly known as the GCC, is a regional organization comprising six countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This summit marked the first time the GCC leaders came together with the presidents of Central Asian countries for a collective meeting.
Among the notable leaders in attendance were president Sapar Japarov of the Kyrgyz Republic, president Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, president Serdar Berdymukhamedov of Turkmenistan, and president Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. The presence of these leaders reflects the mutual interest in strengthening ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation between the two regions.
The main agenda of the summit revolved around discussions on fostering interregional cooperation in various spheres, including politics, trade, economics, culture, and humanitarian efforts. By engaging in such dialogues, the participants sought to identify common challenges and opportunities, as well as promote economic growth and development in both regions.
Additionally, the summit served as an occasion for Saudi Arabia to host the 18th GCC Supreme Council consultative meeting. This separate gathering provided a platform for high-level discussions where critical issues could be addressed, perspectives exchanged, and a collective roadmap for the future could be charted.
The events held in Jeddah aimed to further facilitate interaction and cooperation between the Gulf countries and Central Asia. Both regions boast rich histories, diverse cultures, and significant economic potential, making enhanced cooperation a promising prospect for all involved.
The summit also builds upon the groundwork laid in a previous meeting in September of the previous year, where Riyadh hosted the first gathering of foreign ministers from Central Asian countries and GCC member states. This earlier meeting set the stage for broader discussions and more comprehensive cooperation among the nations.
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