Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Second Joint Ministerial Meeting of Strategic Dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asia ended in Tashkent.

The event included a review of the implementation of the results of the first summit of heads of state of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and Central Asia, which took place in Jeddah on 19 July 2023. It was noted that this format continues to develop as a platform for strengthening mutual understanding, trust and partnership between participants.

The countries emphasized the need to develop trade and economic ties between the regions, including cooperation in ensuring sustainable supply chains, transport and transit connections, food, energy and water resources, as well as the implementation of joint investment projects and the development of clean energy.

The parties called for active high-level participation in the first Gulf and Central Asia Investment Forum, which will be held in Riyadh on 29 May 2024.

The participants discussed the importance of coordinating positions in the current format, emphasizing the need to preserve the multilateral system and efforts to achieve peace, security and stability in the world.

Calls for cooperation based on mutual respect, good neighborliness and the principles of international law were voiced, the importance of respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of states, as well as refraining from the use of force or the threat of its use, was highlighted.
 
The importance of solving climate change and environmental challenges through collective action was noted. Saudi Arabia’s intention to create an international water organization in Riyadh to solve the problem of water scarcity and mobilize investments for this purpose received a positive assessment.

It was agreed upon the creation of a Contact Group to prepare for the second summit of heads of states of the Strategic Dialogue of Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asia in Samarkand in 2025.