In preparation for the GCC–Central Asia Summit scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan in May 2025, the question naturally arises: What are these countries aiming to achieve by strengthening relations between the two regions? And what opportunities are available?

The upcoming summit represents the second meeting between the two sides, following the first one held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2023. That initial summit resulted in the issuance of a joint action plan covering the period from 2023 to 2027, which outlined several key areas of cooperation between the GCC countries and their counterparts in Central Asia.

The first area of focus was political and security dialogue, which addressed various issues, including ways to cooperate in combating terrorism—whether on a bilateral basis between the two regions or through international frameworks like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Over the past 25 years, Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries have made significant efforts to counter the threat of terrorism, including preventing the financing, arming, and training of terrorists. However, placing these efforts under a collaborative umbrella could enhance their effectiveness, especially given the ability of terrorist organizations to cross political borders to evade the efforts of individual states working in isolation from friendly partners.

On the economic and investment front, both parties expressed a desire to make a qualitative leap in trade volume between the two regions, given the numerous opportunities—particularly in the field of energy, with a focus on renewable energy. One of Central Asia’s strengths lies in its natural resources, especially precious minerals used in modern batteries, which have become pivotal in clean energy generation and activation. On the Gulf side, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have developed advanced capabilities in designing and executing solar energy projects. Therefore, cooperation with Central Asian countries appears logical within their developmental frameworks.

One reason behind the desire of both parties to deepen their relationship on multiple levels is the cultural and value-based affinity between them. Islam is the dominant religious current in both regions, and its spread to Central Asia was historically driven by trade and peaceful missionary efforts during the medieval period. As a result, people from both regions feel a sense of familiarity and security when traveling between each other’s countries. Tourism between the Gulf and Central Asia has witnessed significant growth over the past decade. This human exchange has paved the way to expand cooperation into areas such as education, sports, media, and youth affairs, with both sides planning to reap further benefits in this context.

Such exchanges foster mutual trust—one of the key factors that has led Gulf countries to choose Central Asian states as partners in the highly sensitive area of food security. Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have highlighted the importance of diversifying food sources for the Gulf states, which face difficulties in achieving agricultural self-sufficiency due to desert climates, limited arable land, and scarce groundwater. These challenges have prompted Gulf countries to invest in Central Asia’s agricultural sectors, as well as in complementary sectors such as logistics networks. For instance, the UAE recently announced new investments in port infrastructure in countries bordering the Caspian Sea.

In light of the above, it is clear that the relationship between the GCC and Central Asia is not merely a temporary diplomatic rapprochement, but rather a long-term strategic orientation grounded in shared interests and resource complementarity. Building on the progress made since the Jeddah Summit, the upcoming Samarkand Summit presents a genuine opportunity to solidify a multidimensional partnership that encompasses security, development, and a shared cultural identity. If the appropriate mechanisms for follow-up and overcoming bureaucratic obstacles are established, this relationship is well-positioned to become a model for cooperation between regional blocs with converging aspirations and challenges.

Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.