Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A meeting of the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries and the U.S., held in the C5+1 format, took place in New York during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The event was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, and their counterparts: Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan, Jeenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyzstan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, and Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan.

Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of actions taken since the first Presidential C5+1 Summit, held on 19 September 2023. Special attention was given to the implementation of the New York Declaration from that summit.

Key accomplishments highlighted included the launch of the Critical Minerals Dialogue within the C5+1 framework, the first B5+1 Business Forum aimed at enhancing cooperation between the U.S. and Central Asia, and the inaugural Special C5+1 Session on Disability Rights, held at the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The participants discussed measures to strengthen regional security cooperation, with the primary goal of achieving a peaceful and stable Central Asia. Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of adhering to the principles of the UN Charter, including the protection of human rights.

He also noted that the C5+1 partnership is built on respect for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries in the region.

Furthermore, Blinken pointed out that 2025 will mark the 10th anniversary of the U.S.’s consistent cooperation with Central Asia under the C5+1 format. The U.S., as Blinken mentioned, looks forward not only to celebrating this partnership but also to its continued growth and strengthening.

Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the U.S.’s readiness to continue working closely with Central Asian countries to find solutions to regional and global challenges.