The first Ministerial meeting on regional cooperation in the C5+1”format (Central Asia + the U.S.) is taking place today in Samarkand. The meeting is attended by delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, as well as the United States, led by the USAID Administrator Samantha Power.

Welcoming the conference participants, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov underscored that modern challenges such as food security, climate change and supply chain disruptions can be resolved through joint efforts and mutual support.

“Central Asia has always served as a bridge connecting Europe and Asia. There is a strong connection between our countries. There are no countries in the world that are so close to each other in terms of traditions, customs, and values. We are not just neighbors, we are relatives, brothers and friends living together in one large region,” the minister said.

Therefore, the main goal of today’s event is to strengthen and develop economic cooperation between the countries of the region through the careful joint development of specific comprehensive measures, he noted.

Laziz Kudratov emphasized that over the past few years a new era had begun in the history of ties between the Central Asian countries. “The total trade of the countries in 2022 topped US$ 220 billion and almost doubled compared to 2017. The volume of investments increased 5.6 times. All these positive trends are reflected in the overall economic development of our states, whose total GDP has grown by 40% over five years,” he said.

“Meanwhile, it is important to add that we still have untapped potential to develop economic cooperation. In this regard, we welcome the US interest and desire to make our region more prosperous and dynamic in the face of unforeseen challenges in the world.”

The Minister of Investment called the meeting in Samarkand a continuation of the implementation of the agreements reached between the heads of state of the region and the United States in September in New York within the C5+1 platform.

“This meeting should serve as a solid guideline for upcoming joint initiatives, which will be both interregional in nature and will take the partnership between Central Asia and the United States to a qualitatively new level,” he noted.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power noted that at the September summit in New York, where this regional meeting was announced, President Joe Biden reiterated the US commitment to strengthening sovereignty, sustainability and prosperity in the countries of Central Asia.

“Many of your countries have taken important steps in this direction: implementing reforms to attract investment, working to share energy and water resources, recognizing the value of cooperation with civil society partners, and making progress in eliminating child and forced labor and ensuring accountability. leaders to their people,” she said.

“All of these steps have the potential to improve wages, stability and overall prosperity in each of your countries. And, as President Biden emphasized at the UN last month, expanding economic ties will be critical to achieving this goal - both to spur economic growth in your countries and to ensure that all your citizens can reap the benefits of inclusive growth." noted the head of USAID.

Samantha Power added that by taking real steps to reduce barriers to interregional and international trade, Central Asian countries will be able to obtain tools to attract new investments into the region, as well as find new markets for exports and achieve increased incomes for farmers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized business owners

“You will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and tools that will help diversify your economies - share innovation, adapt to climate change and use renewable energy more efficiently. And expanding trade in new markets, which USAID is eager to help you with, will open up new opportunities for equitable and efficient economic growth for all your countries,” she said.

“Throughout history, since the Silk Road, this region has shown us how trade and the connections between people supported by trade enable transformative processes. Today you have the opportunity to do the same - to show the rest of the world how trade and cooperation between neighboring countries benefits all citizens, strengthens sovereignty, enhances true and lasting stability and promotes shared prosperity,” said Samantha Power.