US signals renewed engagement with Central Asia amid economic focus

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a welcome reception for Central Asian delegations in Washington, DC, at the State Department’s Benjamin Franklin Room, marking what he described as a “new era” in relations between the United States and the five Central Asian nations under the C5+1 diplomatic format.

In his remarks, Rubio emphasized that Washington’s foreign policy under President Trump remains anchored in US national interests, while underscoring that effective diplomacy thrives when those interests align with partners abroad, Caliber.Az reports.

“When your national interest and our national interest are aligned, that’s when we have to pursue partnerships and create deep ties,” he said, noting that such alignment exists across multiple areas with the countries of Central Asia.

Economic development was highlighted as a key shared priority. Rubio pointed to opportunities for American businesses to expand into new markets, while recognizing Central Asia’s own ambitions to transform natural resources into sustainable economic growth.

“You don’t just want to be a source of energy or minerals. You want to use that responsibly to build out other sectors of your economies so that you provide long-term opportunities for your people and further develop,” he said.

Acknowledging that US engagement in the region had waned in recent years, Rubio framed the current gathering as an opportunity to reestablish Washington’s strategic presence in a region often overshadowed by global crises. “We oftentimes spend so much time focused on crisis and problems – and they deserve attention – that sometimes we don’t spend enough time focused on exciting new opportunities,” he noted.

Rubio also announced plans to visit all five Central Asian states in the coming year, signaling a deeper diplomatic push. “I think it’s an exciting opportunity and a new era in our relationship in Central Asia… I intend to do everything I can from my office at the White House, and I intend to make sure we keep really good records on all of this for the Archives,” he added.

By Vafa Guliyeva