Top US officials have concluded a diplomatic tour of Central Asia aimed at shaping the agenda for the upcoming US-Central Asia summit, set to take place in Washington on November 6.
The visit focused on finalizing the agenda for the summit, which will be held in the C5+1 format—bringing together the United States and the five Central Asian nations.
The Uzbek president’s official website says President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with a US delegation led by Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor on October 27. The American side also included First Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and other senior officials. The two sides discussed strengthening cooperation in areas such as security, finance, and critical materials, as well as preparations for the upcoming C5+1 summit in Washington.
The meeting focused on advancing the Uzbek-American strategic partnership, particularly in the context of implementing the agreements reached during the high-level talks held in New York on September 23, the statement said.
After their meetings in Tashkent on October 27, the US delegation continued to Kazakhstan for talks with senior government officials and business leaders.
Kazakhstan, like Uzbekistan, is expected to push for wide-ranging cooperation at the Washington summit. Among the topics it hopes to raise is a request for support from the US—specifically the Trump administration—in addressing the shrinking Caspian Sea, a development that threatens the future of the strategically important Middle Corridor trade route.
Akorda.kz, Kazakh president’s official website, reported on October 29 that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed confidence that the summit will help define key priorities for future cooperation and give fresh impetus to trade, economic, and investment relations with the US. He also voiced support for the US President’s domestic and foreign policies, praising his role in promoting global peace and security. Tokayev highlighted Central Asia’s growing role in global affairs, noting the region’s unity and commitment to good-neighborly relations.
During a meeting in Astana, US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor conveyed greetings from the US President and emphasized Central Asia’s strategic importance in American foreign policy. He said the summit would mark a new phase in bilateral cooperation.
The two sides discussed potential partnerships in energy, critical minerals, digitalization, transport, and logistics, along with regional and global issues.
Meanwhile, Eurasianet says Kazakh president on October 26 proposed inviting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to participate in the Washington summit. While Azerbaijan is not part of the C5+1 format, its status as a Caspian littoral state and a key player in regional infrastructure projects gives it growing relevance. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan are jointly developing a trans-Caspian power line and a fiber-optic cable to boost regional connectivity.
