The First Central Asia – the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Think Tank Forum on “Strengthening Strategic Partnership: From Historical Ties to Comprehensive Cooperation” has kicked off in Tashkent.

Heads and experts of leading think tanks from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Bahrain, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan are attending the event.

The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bahrom Aloyev, the Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), Eldor Aripov, the Founder and Chairman of the Gulf Research Center, Abdulaziz Sager, and the Head of the GCC Department, Wejdan Fahad, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ISRS and GRC as part of the forum. The document provides for the development of cooperation and the establishment of regular working contacts between the think tanks of the two countries through joint research, the organization of forums, workshops, and roundtable discussions on current issues.

The priority areas of cooperation include foreign policy and security, regional sustainable development, strengthening foreign economic relations, and other areas promoting mutually beneficial partnership.

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager noted that the signing became a significant step towards institutionalizing the dialogue between the think tanks. The agreement opens up new horizons for in-depth analysis of common challenges and strengthening cooperation between the regions.

ISRS Director Eldor Aripov stressed that the partnership with GRC creates conditions for uniting expert resources and developing practical solutions aimed at developing ties between Uzbekistan and the Gulf countries.

GRC is an independent research center founded in 2000 in Jeddah with branches in Riyadh, Geneva, Cambridge, and Brussels. It specializes in studying political, economic, and social issues of the Gulf region, as well as international relations and ecology. The Center publishes the “Araa” magazine, holds conferences (including the annual Cambridge Meeting), and undertakes consulting projects. GRC, headed by Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, is one of the TOP 150 global think tanks, has observer status at the United Nations, and cooperates with more than 95 organizations.

UzA