The “C5+1” is a diplomatic summit that has been held every year since 2015 at the foreign-ministerial level among the five Central Asian countries and the United States. It is intended both to strengthen the U.S. relationship with the five states in the region and to also enhance relations amongst themselves.
This year it was held at the same time as the opening of the fall session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Thus, for the first time, the presidents of all six participating countries contributed directly to the discussions at the summit.
Since its creation, the C5+1 format has evolved into a robust platform for dialogue and co-operation. Its development has been dynamized by the deepening mutual interests between the U.S. and the Central Asian states. This evolution has accelerated since Kassym-Jomart Tokayev became president of Kazakhstan four years ago.
Under Tokayev’s leadership, Kazakhstan has played a significant role in shaping the discussions and outcomes of the annual consultations. The country has become key to fostering regional cooperation and integration, giving it a leadership position in Central Asia. As a result, the U.S. is increasingly recognizing Kazakhstan’s strategic importance.
Especially in the eyes of major powers like the U.S., today Central Asia as a whole has an acknowledged strategic significance. This, along with its intricate geopolitical dynamics, increasingly makes it the backbone of a new network of trade routes, as it was during the old Silk Road era.
The region is facilitating not only commerce but also the exchange of ideas and cultures between the East and the West. Kazakhstan is recognized as the Central Asian country that has the greatest, and immensely valuable, distinctive cultural and economic influences.
Kazakhstan’s pronounced ties with its two large and powerful neighbors, Russia and China, underscore the urgent need for the U.S. to engage more deeply with the region. Recognizing…
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