U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead C5+1 mission to Central Asia

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to lead a diplomatic and commercial mission to Central Asia in mid-October. The visit includes participation in the C5+1 ministerial meeting in Uzbekistan, alongside the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Accompanying Rubio will be representatives from more than 100 American companies. The mission aims to strengthen strategic partnerships, expand trade, and attract private investment. Key areas of focus include regional economic connectivity, energy security, and cooperation regarding critical minerals and strategic raw materials, such as rare metals and uranium.

The C5+1 format, which serves as Washington’s primary diplomatic mechanism for the region, was reportedly initiated by Kazakhstan. The platform has evolved from simple ministerial meetings into a broader framework for cooperation on security, energy, and logistics, as the United States seeks to bolster its economic presence in a region with significant influence from China and Russia.