Why is this important
The visit of high-ranking US officials underscores the strategic importance of Central Asia for Washington amid competition with China and Russia for influence in the region. Economic and security discussions can lead to new investments, trade agreements, and defense cooperation.
What happened
- Special Envoy Sergio Gor and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will visit Uzbekistan at the end of October;
- Before that, they will visit Kazakhstan;
- It is planned to discuss “a wide range of economic and security issues”;
- The State Department stated its intention to strengthen relations and expand trade relations;
- The visit is timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the “C5+1” format (USA + five CA countries).
State Department Statement
The United States will continue to cooperate with our Central Asian colleagues to strengthen relations and expand trade relations. We are counting on the expansion of bilateral cooperation between our countries and celebrating the tenth anniversary of partnership between the US and Central Asian countries within the framework of the “C5+1” diplomatic platform, — the State Department’s statement said.
Context
Central Asia is becoming an arena of geopolitical competition between the US, China, and Russia. The US seeks to strengthen its influence in the region through economic cooperation, investment, and security assistance.
The “C5+1” format is a diplomatic platform established in 2015 for cooperation between the US and five Central Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan). The format covers economics, energy, security, and the fight against terrorism.
Sergio Gore and Christopher Landau’s visit is the first high-ranking US visit to the region since President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. This is a signal that the new administration continues to view Central Asia as a strategically important region.
Economic cooperation: The US is interested in gaining access to Uzbekistan’s critical minerals (rare earth metals, uranium), developing the energy sector, and expanding trade. US trade turnover with Uzbekistan is relatively small compared to China and Russia, but American companies are actively investing in the extractive industry and technology.
Security: The US is concerned about the presence of radical groups in Afghanistan and the possibility of their penetration into Central Asia. Cooperation includes the training of border services, the exchange of intelligence, and the fight against drug trafficking.
The visit may also be related to the situation in Afghanistan: the US is looking for partners to stabilize the region after the withdrawal of troops in 2021.
