U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Samarkand produced a new C5+1 statement on regional cooperation, advancing priorities closely aligned with Kazakhstan 's economic and diplomatic interests, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports. Rubio arrived in Samarkand on October 18, accompanied by a delegation representing more than 200 American businesses.
His program included a C5+1 ministerial meeting with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, alongside separate bilateral talks. The visit followed the November 2025 summit hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House, where Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his Central Asian counterparts discussed expanding economic and strategic cooperation with Washington.
Speaking in Samarkand, Rubio said the United States and Central Asian countries had secured more than $25 billion in commercial arrangements since that summit, with plans to pursue over $100 billion in additional trade and investment. Jeanette and I stood at the heart of Samarkand’s Registan Square, where the richness of Uzbekistan’s history, culture, and architecture is undeniable.
At this historic crossroads where diplomacy, trade, and culture of the ancient Silk Road took place, it is fitting that the U.S. and Central Asia continue securing economic opportunities and strengthening diplomatic ties to transform the future. Few places on Earth have historically played such an important role in global trade and commerce as Samarkand.
It’s an honor to be here today — not just to remember the history, but the opportunities for the future. https://t.co/SymeQhOUag Samarkand holds historical significance for the C5+1 format. The first ministerial meeting took place there on November 1, 2015, bringing together then-U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry and the five Central Asian foreign ministers. Kazakhstan played an early role in establishing the mechanism, with the proposal for regular dialogue between Washington and the five republics put forward in 2013 by Kazakhstan 's then-ambassador to the United States, Kairat Umarov.
Astana subsequently hosted a C5+1 ministerial meeting in 2023, reaffirming its commitment to the format. More than a decade after its establishment, the platform has evolved into an important channel for regional diplomacy, particularly as Central Asian governments seek to strengthen economic cooperation and diversify their international partnerships.
Washington's renewed engagement reflects growing recognition of Central Asia 's strategic location and economic potential. Critical minerals, energy security, transport connectivity and technological cooperation have emerged as priorities for both sides. For the United States, the region offers opportunities to diversify supply chains and expand access to strategic resources, while Central Asian governments are seeking foreign investment, advanced technologies and access to international markets.
Rubio also emphasized that Washington was not asking regional countries to abandon their existing partnerships with Russia, China or other powers. This approach is consistent with the multi-vector foreign policy pursued by Kazakhstan under President Tokayev, which emphasizes balanced international relations while advancing national economic interests.
The principal multilateral outcome of the Samarkand meeting was the adoption of the joint statement "C5+1: Historic Partnership, Prosperous Future." The document outlines cooperation in transport, trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, security and cultural exchange.