Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 28 April 2025, the First Central Asia –the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Think Tank Forum on the topic: “Strengthening Strategic Partnership: From Historical Ties to Comprehensive Cooperation” kicks off in Tashkent.

The event is attended by heads and experts from leading think tanks from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Bahrain, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

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

Within the framework of the forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ISRS and GRC. The document provides for the development of cooperation and the establishment of regular working contacts between analytical centers of the two countries through joint research, organization of forums, seminars and round tables on current issues.

Priority areas of cooperation include foreign policy and security, regional sustainable development, strengthening foreign economic relations, as well as other areas that promote mutually beneficial partnership.

Commenting on the signing of the Memorandum, GRC Director

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager noted that its signing was an important step towards institutionalizing the dialogue between the think tanks. “This agreement opens new horizons for in-depth analysis of common challenges and strengthening interaction between our regions. I am confident that our joint work will yield significant results,” the expert said.

In turn, the Director of ISRS Eldor Aripov emphasized that the partnership with GRC creates conditions for combining expert resources and developing practical solutions aimed at developing ties between Uzbekistan and the Gulf countries.

GRC is an independent think tank founded in 2000 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with branches in Riyadh, Geneva, Cambridge and Brussels. It specializes in the study of political, economic and social issues in the Gulf region, as well as international relations and the environment. The center publishes the journal Araa, holds conferences (including the annual Cambridge meeting) and consultancy projects. Headed by Dr Abdulaziz Sager, GRC is one of the world's top 150 think tanks, has observer status at the UN and cooperates with more than 95 organizations.