The C5+1 SI Conference opened in Astana on September 29, bringing together representatives of governments, technology companies and the expert community from Central Asia and the United States to discuss cooperation in AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and technology investment, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev said the C5+1 partnership was moving to a new stage following the first C5+1 summit at the White House last year. He emphasized the potential of Central Asia's young population, human capital and resources, noting that these factors create opportunities for deeper technological and economic cooperation.
“In Kazakhstan, we are already doing this: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared 2026 the year of digitalization and artificial intelligence,” Mukhametkaliyev said. According to the Vice Minister, the rapid development of technology will affect economies, industries and the way governments operate, making cooperation in infrastructure, talent and projects increasingly important.
“Our task now is to build for this coalition faster to strengthen the Central Asia’s position at the global economic market. Today, we need to work together. We need to connect our infrastructure, talents, projects, and nations,” he said. Mukhametkaliyev stressed that discussions should lead to concrete outcomes and said Kazakhstan was ready to work on new partnerships and joint projects.
Mark Cameron, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asian Affairs and Public Diplomacy at the US Department of State, said the current period represented an important stage in US engagement with Central Asia. He recalled that last November marked the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic platform and was followed by the first C5+1 White House Summit and State Dinner.
According to Cameron, those engagements resulted in the announcement of more than $25 billion in commercial deals and the release of the C5+1 Joint Statement of Intent on Economic Cooperation. He said the statement outlined commitments related to trusted internet and communications technology and infrastructure, including data center equipment, the protection of cross-border data flows, and the development of AI based on international partnership and respect for sovereignty and opportunity.
Cameron also highlighted the role of cybersecurity in the development of the region's digital sector.