A meeting of the foreign ministers of the Central Asian countries and the U.S. Secretary of State, held in the C5+1 format, took place in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) on October 19, according to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
During the meeting, participants discussed topical issues related to further strengthening multifaceted cooperation between the Central Asian nations and the United States and prospects for developing regional interaction within the context of current international realities.
Issues of trade, economic and investment cooperation featured prominently on the agenda. The parties emphasized the importance of further developing transport and logistics connectivity, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, expanding mutual trade and creating favorable conditions for business activity and the attraction of investment.
The participants noted the need to deepen regional economic integration, to foster industrial cooperation, to advance the digital economy and to implement modern technologies.
Special attention was given to prospects for cooperation in the energy sector, the extraction and processing of natural resources, the development of value chains and the expansion of opportunities for exporting finished goods to international markets. The parties highlighted their interest in exchanging expertise and advanced technologies to enhance the competitiveness of the economies in the region.
A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to cooperation in the fields of digitalization and artificial intelligence, the implementation of innovative technologies and the development of digital infrastructure. The parties underscored the importance of leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence to stimulate economic growth, to improve the efficiency of public administration and to expand regional cooperation.
Following the meeting, a Joint Statement was adopted by the foreign ministers of the Central Asian countries and the United States within the C5+1 framework. In it, they reaffirmed their interest in further strengthening the C5+1 format as an important platform for political dialogue and practical interaction, aimed at developing mutually beneficial cooperation, enhancing regional stability and addressing pressing socioeconomic development challenges.
