On September 19, the first “Central Asia – United States” summit to be held at the level of leaders of the participating countries took place in New York, marking a new stage in the relationship between Central Asian countries and the United States. This event demonstrated the growing demand for a platform for open and constructive dialogue and the importance of developing practical and comprehensive interaction between Central Asia and the United States.
The focus of the summit shifted from a political agenda to unlocking potential and increasing economic and investment cooperation. The United States is increasingly showing an interest in expanding and deepening trade and economic ties with the region, actively integrating it into the global chain with high added value. This opens up a large Central Asian market for the United States with new opportunities for cooperation in economics, trade, investment, industrial cooperation, energy, agriculture, transport, and ICT, including the use of digital, green and smart technologies.
The summit was marked by the parties taking practical measures to form a progressive economic cooperation architecture in this format. Washington has taken the initiative to create a more favorable business environment for trade and investment by creating a private sector business platform, as well as holding a ministerial meeting on regional connectivity in the C5+1 format in Central Asia in October.
The high interest of the United States in developing trade and economic relations with the countries of Central Asia is also evidenced by the launch in the United States of the process of repealing the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and the early establishment of a permanent normal trade status for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.
The summit also demonstrated a solid commitment to further cooperation in the security field, comprehensively discussing ensuring regional security, combating terrorism and cross-border crime, and promoting a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan.
The measures taken by Uzbekistan to quickly resolve the situation in Afghanistan and comprehensively facilitate this process within the framework of international efforts are of great interest to Washington.
The development of interaction in these areas meets the interests of all parties, and the increasing level of dialogue between Central Asia and the United States indicates Washington’s interest in the stable and sustainable development of the Central Asian region.
The summit demonstrated U.S. recognition and support for the joint efforts made by the Central Asian countries to develop the potential of the region, aimed at ensuring stability and sustainable development, building up multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation in the system of interregional and international relations.