The joint statement issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council summit on Wednesday stressed the importance of strengthening political and strategic relations between the GCC countries and Central Asia, stressing the importance of dialogue and partnership towards new horizons in various fields.
The final statement stressed the importance of strengthening political and strategic relations between the two sides and condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in addition to respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.
At the summit held in Jeddah, the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries made it clear the importance of “continuing coordination in order to achieve regional and international stability.”
The two sides stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between the GCC and Central Asia in international forums and organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to confront the economic challenges facing the world.
The GCC and Central Asian countries stressed the condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and the need to dry up its sources of financing.
They also stressed “the importance of developing transport routes between the two regions, building strong logistical and commercial networks, and developing effective systems that contribute to the exchange of products,” and stressed the promotion of trade cooperation and the encouragement of joint investment.
The final statement emphasized the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of higher education, scientific research and vocational training, encouraging cooperation between universities and scientific research centers on both sides, and providing educational opportunities in technical universities and in the field of green economy and digital economy. The statement also stressed strengthening cooperation in the field of green economy energy.
The statement of the Gulf Summit with Central Asian countries included support for Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to host Expo 2030.
summit statement
Following the Gulf summit with Central Asian countries that took place in Jeddah on Wednesday, the following statement was issued:
In response to a gracious invitation from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, may God protect him, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries held their meeting in Jeddah, on Wednesday, Muharram 1, 1445 AH corresponding to July 19, 2023 AD, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, may God protect him, with the participation of Their Majesties, Highnesses and Excellencies, the leaders of the GCC and Central Asian countries, and His Excellency Jassim Muhammad Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Council Cooperation of the Arab Gulf states.
The meeting concluded the following:
1. The leaders congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the success of the Hajj season for the year 1444 AH, and the high level it achieved in serving the pilgrims of the House. God is forbidden, and to provide the necessary care for them during their performance of Hajj rituals.
2. Based on the common values and interests and the deep historical ties between the countries of the Cooperation Council and the countries of Central Asia, the leaders stressed the importance of strengthening political and strategic relations between the two sides at the collective and bilateral levels, and continuing political coordination in order to achieve regional and international security and stability, facing challenges, working to ensure flexibility of supply chains, transportation and communication, food security, energy security, and water security, and advancing building cooperation relations in developing green and renewable energy sources and technologies, creating business opportunities, supporting investment opportunities, and increasing trade exchange.
3. The leaders praised the cultural diversity, openness and rich history of the countries of the Cooperation Council and Central Asia. The leaders stressed that tolerance and peaceful coexistence are among the most important values and principles for relations between nations and societies. In this regard, the leaders welcomed the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2686, by which the Council recognized that hate speech, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, gender discrimination and acts of extremism can contribute to the outbreak, escalation and recurrence of conflicts. They expressed concern about the growing rhetoric of racism and Islamophobia, and acts of violence against Muslim minorities and Islamic symbols.
The leaders praised the results and goals of the Conference of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which has been held in Kazakhstan since 2003 AD in order to discuss global guidelines for achieving respect and tolerance among races and religions.
4. The leaders praised the results of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum “East and West for Human Coexistence”, which was held in 2022 AD, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, may God protect him, in cooperation with the Sheikh of Al-Azhar and Baba Vatican.
5. The leaders stressed the importance of strengthening the strategic and political dialogue between the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the countries of Central Asia, and strengthening this partnership towards new horizons in various fields, including political and security dialogue, economic and investment cooperation, enhancing communication between peoples, and exchanging best practices. And expertise in all fields such as education, culture, youth affairs, tourism, media and sports in accordance with the agreed joint action plan for the period (2023-2027).
6. The leaders commended the outcomes of the joint ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Cooperation Council and the countries of Central Asia, which was held on September 7, 2022 AD, and the technical meetings held between officials and specialists from both sides in the fields of economic cooperation, trade, investment, health, culture, youth and sports. They urged the concerned authorities to take the necessary measures for the immediate implementation of the joint action plan, at the bilateral and multilateral levels, to enhance joint cooperation in various fields.
7. In the economic field, the leaders emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to enhance trade and economic cooperation and encourage joint investment, by strengthening relations between financial and economic institutions, and business sectors on both sides to explore areas of cooperation and available opportunities, and provide an attractive climate for business, trade, joint investments and economic cooperation to achieve mutual benefit. The leaders also called for achieving integration between available opportunities and developing investment fields, discussing development priorities and exchanging experiences in light of the joint action plan.
8. The leaders affirmed their support for the candidacy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, and exerted all efforts to support this nomination, stressing the importance of organizing international and regional exhibitions, and active participation in them to stimulate economic and cultural exchanges between Central Asia and the Gulf region.
9. The leaders stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asia in international forums and organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to confront the economic challenges facing the world.
10. The leaders praised the pioneering role played by the two sides in confronting the phenomenon of climate change, and renewed their welcome and support to the United Arab Emirates for hosting the COP28 conference to support international efforts in this regard.
As developing countries, the leaders emphasized the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, especially fairness and the principle of shared responsibilities, taking into account different national circumstances and priorities, and taking into account the implementation of the two agreements the negative social and economic impacts resulting from response measures to climate change, especially those affecting developing countries. most susceptible to these effects. COP28 will provide an opportunity to assess these issues and progress in collective efforts to implement these international agreements.
11. The leaders stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of environment and climate change, protecting glaciers and water resources, and attracting more investments to the main sectors of the economies of Central Asian countries to adapt to climate change through integration and cooperation on the risks and consequences of natural disasters between the two sides.
12. The leaders stressed the importance of developing connected transportation routes between the two regions, building strong logistical and commercial networks, and developing effective systems that contribute to the exchange of products.
13. The leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of higher education, scientific research and vocational training, encourage cooperation between universities and scientific research centers on both sides, and provide educational opportunities in technical universities, wherever possible, for students from the GCC and Central Asian countries, as well as exchange expertise and experiences through communication between experts and education specialists.
14. The leaders expressed their aspiration to enhance cooperation in the health field, exchange experiences between specialized institutions in various health fields, and support global initiatives to address current and future Pandemics, health risks and challenges. In this context, the leaders referred to Kazakhstan’s initiative to create a special multilateral body in the United Nations – the International Agency for Biosafety – announced at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will contribute to the prevention of biological threats and the exchange of data on dangerous diseases.
15. In the field of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including the media and social fields, the leaders pointed out the importance of preserving the common cultural heritage between the two sides, enhancing joint cultural and media cooperation, encouraging cultural dialogue between the two sides, and discussing opportunities to develop cooperation in all related fields to serve the joint work of the two sides.
16. The leaders stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of youth and sports, exchanging experiences and coordinating electoral positions related to regional, continental and international sports federations, noting Qatar’s hosting of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup matches.
17. The leaders emphasized strengthening cooperation in the field of green economy energy, digital economy and innovation, and green technology. They stressed the need for investments to implement new projects in these important areas between the two sides. The leaders welcomed the decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host the investment forum between the GCC and Central Asian countries, in the last quarter of 2023 AD, and the initiatives of the Republic of Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic to host the investment forum between the GCC and Central Asian countries in 2024 AD.
18. The leaders discussed regional and international issues, where visions agreed on the importance of concerted efforts to achieve peace, security, stability and prosperity in all parts of the world, and the priority of restoring international peace and security, through mutual respect and cooperation between countries to achieve development and progress, the principles of good neighborliness, and respect for the sovereignty of states its territorial integrity and political independence, non-interference in its internal affairs, non-use or threat of force, and the preservation of the international order based on adherence to the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. It is unacceptable to international peace and security, and the use of nuclear weapons should never be allowed.
19. The leaders expressed their condemnation of terrorism, whatever its sources, the rejection of all its forms and manifestations, and the drying up of its funding sources. They expressed their determination to strengthen regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, and to prevent the financing, arming and recruitment of terrorist groups for all individuals and entities. The leaders referred to the results of the (Dushanbe) high-level conference on “international and regional cooperation in the field of border security and management in order to combat terrorism and prevent the movement of terrorists.” , held on October 18 and 19, 2022 AD, in (Dushanbe), and the results of the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh, which was held on June 8, 2023 AD in Riyadh, and affirmed their commitment to continue supporting all international and regional efforts to combat terrorist organizations, and to address all activities that threaten security and stability. They emphasized that tolerance and coexistence among nations and peoples are among the most important principles and values upon which relations between states and societies are based.
20. The leaders stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its institutions and bodies. The leaders stressed that parts of the Islamic world are facing increasing food insecurity, mostly due to the challenging geopolitical and geo-economic situation, as well as climate change.
The leaders thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this historic summit, and look forward to holding the next summit between the GCC and Central Asian countries in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025.
