BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Ashgabat hosted
a C5+1 Secretariat meeting involving the U.S. and Central Asian
countries, focusing on trade, transport and critical minerals.
This was reflected in a press statement issued by the
Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry on September 9.
According to the Ministry, representatives of the five Central
Asian countries and the U.S. discussed the further development of
the C5+1 format and practical aspects of cooperation on regional
priorities.
The Ministry noted that, in the course of the meeting, the
parties reviewed the implementation of previous agreements and
proposals for further expanding the multilateral agenda, as well as
preparations for upcoming meetings and events.
"Particular attention was paid to opportunities for expanding
cooperation in critical minerals, trade and transport. The sides
also discussed developing contacts between relevant government
agencies and expert communities.
The parties noted the importance of regular interaction within
the C5+1 format "for the development of regional cooperation and
promotion of joint initiatives," the ministry said.
The meeting outlined further steps for the Secretariat and
preparations for activities planned under the C5+1 framework.
Meanwhile, the C5+1 format brings together the United States and
the five Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It was established in 2015
as a regional diplomatic platform for addressing common economic,
security and environmental challenges. The first ministerial
meeting was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in November 2015, while
a Secretariat was established in 2022 to coordinate priorities,
communications and preparations for high-level meetings.
The agenda has expanded from its initial focus on security,
economic connectivity and environmental issues. Recent C5+1
discussions have covered trade, transport and communication links,
energy, climate and water management, regional security and
investment. In February 2023, the foreign ministers agreed to
continue work through groups on economy, energy and environment,
and security, while highlighting the importance of strengthening
trade and transport links. In September 2023, the first C5+1
presidential summit was held on the sidelines of the UN General
Assembly in New York, where the leaders committed to pursuing
regional solutions to common challenges and delivering practical
results.
The platform has also increasingly focused on regional
connectivity and economic opportunities. Earlier C5+1 initiatives
included projects on transport corridors, business competitiveness,
energy and climate adaptation, while more recent discussions have
addressed trade expansion and stronger links between Central Asia
and external markets. The inclusion of critical minerals in the
latest agenda adds another economic dimension, reflecting the
region's growing importance in global supply chains.
