Verified answer

Yes he does^^

Before Naruto went back home, he tried to say goodbye, but admitted that it wasn't something he was good at. Gaara used some sand to encourage and guide Naruto's hand, and the two shook hands, symbolizing Gaara and Naruto's friendship, and Gaara's new characteristics. Additionally, while the precise effect on Gaara from Shukaku's loss is still unknown, this scene showed that he had retained the ability to manipulate sand.

Gaara was later seen setting off late from Sunagakure to attend a meeting of all five of the Kages of the five great Hidden Villages, called for by the Raikage in light of Akatsuki's latest activities. Gaara was now shown with his hair grown a little longer, still wearing his sand gourd on his back, and the traditional Kazekage hat and gown attached to it, for the summit. Temari and Kankuro accompany him for protection, but Kankuro notes that he doesn't need bodyguards.

Gaara and his siblings are all seen has having made to the Summit of the Five Kages, being hosted in the Land of Iron, safely without incident, and were greeted by Mifune and his samurai. When the meeting starts, Gaara attempts to be the first one to speak but is continuously interrupted by the Tsuchikage and Raikage. While talking, he reveals that when he was captured assistance was requested from the other villages but no one responded except Tsunade, and it is for this reason that he views Akatsuki as a threat. When Kankuro and Temari prepare to battle the other escorts, Gaara commands them to put away their weapons. The Raikage then begins to accuse the other villages of working with Akatsuki much to Gaara's surprise. Mifune then offers that the five villages should form an alliance with the Hokage in charge, this also serves as a surprise. Mifune later says that Gaara cannot be the leader of the alliance because he is far too young and it is already too hard to call him Kazekage because of his age.

During Raikage's meeting with Sasuke, Ōnoki complains that Danzo's ideals are just dreams and that he can't be trusted, Gaara says that a world without faith and understanding, would be a world with only fear. He tells the others that acting without the ethics of the situation, for him it would be acting like they had given up. The Tsuchikage complains that he is too young to run a village, he continues by asking Gaara if there are any questions he would like to ask his sempais'(refering to Danzo and himself who are both significantly older than Gaara). Then, Gaara asks when did they throw themselves away. Later, the Mizukage grins and thinks that he is an honest kid.

If you are behind then you could just read the spoliers or you can always read the manga.

He'll make another appearence when the anime gets to the Five Kages meeting arc.

Yeah Gaara's been anything but active lately. Hell Naruto hasn't even been active lately. Only time or manga readers will tell. I miss 'em too. Cool guy.

yes he is most definitely back

duh.