In his opening remarks made at the US and Central Asia leaders’ summit in New York on September 19, US President Joseph Biden welcomed his counterparts’ views on how the nations can work together to further strengthen the Central Asian nations’ sovereignty, resilience, and prosperity while also advancing human rights through our C5+1 partnership.
According to The White House, he thanked his Central Asian counterparts for their partnership on regional security challenges and committed to continued collaboration on border security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement issues.
“I think this is a historic moment. We’re building on years of close cooperation between Central Asia and the United States — a cooperation that is grounded in our shared commitment to sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity. These principles matter more than ever, in my view. And today, we’re taking our cooperation to new heights,” Mr. Biden said.
“First, we’re strengthening our counterterrorism cooperation, including increased U.S. security funding to — to Central Asia.
“Second, we’re strengthening regional economic connectivity. For example, we’re establishing a new business platform to complement our diplomatic engagement and better connect our private sectors for development purposes.
“And we are — we are also discussing the potential for a new critical minerals dialogue to strengthen our energy security and supply chains for years to come.
“And third, we’re launching a new initiative on disability rights.
“And I want to thank you all for your fruitful conversation today, which has already taken place. And I look forward to working with all of you to do even more in the future. I am genuinely looking forward to following up on our — on this meeting, because we are stronger and I genuinely believe the world is safer when we stand together — our five nations.”
Finally, President Biden advocated for continued support of civil society and women’s economic empowerment activities and encouraged a new C5+1 focus on mainstreaming disability rights across all sectors.
