US and Central Asian Countries Outline Shared Vision in Joint Statement at C5+1 Meeting

The United States and five Central Asian countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, energy, security, and cultural cooperation at the C5+1 Ministerial meeting in Samarkand on October 19. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, along with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlined a vision for an enduring partnership grounded in respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The countries pledged to strengthen transportation links, invest in infrastructure along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, and forge digital connections, including through English-language training. They also committed to regional economic integration, expanded intraregional trade, and stronger industrial cooperation, identifying energy and critical minerals as key priorities.

On security, the governments pledged cooperation against terrorism, transnational organized crime, human and drug trafficking, and cybercrime, and reaffirmed commitments on nuclear security and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Rubio said the previous C5+1 meeting in Washington had yielded $25 billion in new deals. Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov said Uzbekistan, assuming the C5+1 Secretariat's co-chairmanship, intends to turn agreements into practical results.