U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to personally visit all five Central Asian countries in 2026, he said during a formal reception at the U.S. Department of State with the foreign ministers of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Rubio said the visit will last at least a week and will require joint coordination with partners in the region, according to the State Department.
He emphasized that the current stage of cooperation opens new opportunities for economic engagement.
The United States aims to promote innovation, American business, and U.S. products to new markets, while Central Asian countries can leverage human resources and natural wealth to diversify their economies and create long-term opportunities for citizens, Rubio added.
The Secretary of State expressed confidence that ongoing meetings and subsequent work will strengthen the partnership between the United States and Central Asian nations.
A business conference marking the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic platform will be held Thursday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on November 6.