Washington, D.C. — The United States and the five nations of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – marked a decade of partnership on Thursday with an opening panel at the C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference hosted by the U.S. Department of State. U.S. Senator Steve Daines (Montana), Sergio Gor, the newly appointed U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India and Rashid Meredov, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister kicked things off with a bold forward-looking vision centered on deeper economic cooperation, net two-way investment flows, and a bolstered U.S. commitment to the region.
Held at the Kennedy Center’s REACH campus, the session brought together senior U.S. officials, and Central Asian leaders and private sector companies to deepen a decade of growing cooperation, building on Trump’s transactional approach and first term achievements.
Celebrating a Decade of Cooperation
U.S. Senator Steve Daines, who moderated the session, not only praised the C5+1 platform’s record of achievements since 2015 but went further. He called the anniversary “a momentous occasion for our nations” to move forward in friendship and a sense of pragmatism, anchored in growing commerce, new investments, cultural exchange, and security cooperation.
Daines emphasized that relations with the C5 countries are “vitally important for our national security and prosperity,” adding that the event aimed to pave the way for stronger, results-driven partnerships.
Turning to the next speaker, Ambassador Sergio Gor, Daines offered unusually personal remarks, describing him as “truly one of the closest confidants of President Trump.” He noted that “Mr. Gor’s nomination demonstrates President Trump and his administration’s commitment to fostering closer ties between all of our nations.” Daines expressed eagerness to work with “Sergio and the rest of President Trump’s team” to build upon the successes of previous US-Central Asian relations.
U.S. Envoy Stresses Renewed Engagement
In his address, Ambassador Sergio Gor, underscored the administration’s renewed commitment to the region. He recounted that he and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau had visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan just last week, praising the hospitality and partnership shown by both governments.
Gor extended his appreciation to Kazakhstan, which he noted had “recently become a sponsor of the Kennedy Center,” and thanked Ambassador Richard Grenell for hosting the forum. Gor emphasized that “this President is making this partnership a top priority,” adding that the focus on the five Central Asian nations “is something that has been ignored in past administrations.”
According to Gor, President Trump “has made a commitment and has instructed every individual here within the U.S. government to make sure [Central Asia] gets the priority that it deserves.” He emphasized the need to ramp up energy cooperation, open new trade avenues, and secure supply chains for critical minerals. “We are committed to further developing Central Asia’s vast mineral wealth and advancing critical-mineral security,” Gor underscoring C5+1’s shift from dialogue to deliverables and mutual cooperation.
He also previewed the White House leaders’ meeting and dinner scheduled for later in the day, noting that several “historic deals” in commerce and trade were expected to be signed during the evening session.
Turkmenistan Calls for Practical Economic Cooperation
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, serving as this year’s C5+1 co-chair, welcomed the event’s “inclusive format” and described it as a practical step toward converting shared intentions into concrete projects. He emphasized long-term and systemic cooperation, particularly in digitalization, artificial intelligence, green standards, and transport diversification.
Meredov highlighted Turkmenistan’s major energy and logistics initiatives – North-South and East-West – and invited greater U.S. investment participation. He also called for an “effective institutional and legal framework” to support sustainable trade and business development between the United States and Central Asia.
Cultural and Institutional Significance
Wrapping up, Ambassador Richard Grenell praised U.S.–Central Asian teamwork behind the conference and urged guests to see America beyond D.C.—and Americans to ‘go visit Central Asia”, implying more deal flow in an atmosphere of mutual respect and net gains for all.
As C5+1 enters its second decade, Daines, Gor, and Meredov showcased a shared ambition to move U.S.–Central Asia ties from dialogue to action, driving lasting economic and strategic collaboration. As the Kennedy Center event wrapped up, the Presidents of the five Central Asian countries were moving to the White House to meet with President Trump.
