C5+1 format’s rapid expansion 

The vixen jumped up and raced away, off at full speed… Then the animal rested and was once more drawn back to the railway track, hoping to assuage its hunger. But now there were more lights: once more a pair of locomotives were dragging a long, laden freight train…
The vixen ran away in a great curve over the steppe. She would return to the line when the trains had gone…
Trains in these parts went from East to West and from West to East.
On either side of the railway lines there lay the great wide spaces of the desert - Sary-Ozeki, the Middle lands of the yellow steppes.
In these parts any distance was measured in relation to the railway, as if from the Greenwich meridian…
And the trains went from East to West, and from West to East…

Chingiz Aitmatov
“The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years”

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C5 diplomatic dialogue between the United States and Central Asian countries began in 2015, during the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, when the US Secretary of State John Kerry met with the foreign ministers of five Central Asian countries and then visited Central Asia.  

Before 2023, C5+1 format meetings were held at the level of foreign ministers of the participating states. On September 22, 2022, the C5+1 Secretariat was established in New York. Participants reiterated the importance of greater cooperation in areas such as green technology, climate change, sustainable mountain development, water resource management, infrastructure planning, education, and renewable energy development. The Secretariat should also facilitate the development of shared priorities and coordinate communications between participating governments. 

The deepening of diplomatic relations between the US and Central Asian countries is gradually taking a new quality, as clearly evidenced by the meeting between President Biden and the leaders of the C5 countries in New York on September 19, 2023. This was the first high-level meeting held during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. During the meeting, President Biden expressed his gratitude for the cooperation. The possibilities for enhancing stability and fostering business and investment environments in Central Asian countries were discussed.   

The creation of the Critical Minerals Dialogue was one of the important resolutions of the presidents’ meeting in the US. They also referred to the Trans-Caspian “Middle Corridor”.   

There are several reasons for the United States’ increased activity in Central Asia in recent years. The first reason, of course, is the significant decline in Russia’s influence in the region due to the Russian-Ukrainian war. The second, equally important reason is the strategic goal of containing China. It is a well-known fact that apart from Russia, China also holds considerable influence in Central Asia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Beijing has steadily increased its economic and infrastructural presence in Central Asia. 

Rapid technological development worldwide has created enormous demand for rare earth minerals and elements used in the economy, high technology, and the military field. China is rich in these minerals and has been the West’s main supplier for decades. And now, amid intensifying geopolitical competition, the West seeks to reduce this dependence. Chinese exports to the West are carried out along several main routes, one of which is the Middle Corridor. It stretches from China through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan to Georgia and Turkey. If the importance of this communication route was previously limited, its role has grown significantly following the 2022 war and the imposition of sanctions against Russia. 

The geopolitical and geoeconomic significance of Central Asia is not limited to its role as a communications hub: the countries of the region possess rich natural resources that could significantly replace Chinese supplies. By helping Kazakhstan export oil to the West, the United States is reducing the country’s dependence on Russian and Chinese markets. By investing in Uzbekistan’s solar energy sector, the US is displacing Chinese capital. This is exactly why interest from the West and particularly the US has grown, gradually leading to a whole new level of bilateral cooperation and becoming the main impetus for dialogue on critical minerals. 

In turn, Central Asian countries seek to diversify their economies and reduce their dependence on specific hubs. Moreover, the internal structure of these countries has changed: the economy is rapidly developing, which in turn necessitates a more independent foreign policy. It should also be noted that Central Asian countries have always pursued a multilateral and balanced foreign policy. Given the presence of such large and influential neighbors as the Russian Federation and China, and in the absence of access to the sea, Central Asian countries are forced to pursue a multi-vector policy. 

The United States reviews its list of critical minerals annually. The federal list for 2025 includes approximately 60 minerals that are essential for “national security, economic stability, supply chain resilience, as they are the foundation of industry and technological innovation.” These include zinc, lithium, tungsten, potassium, gallium, aluminum, graphite, cobalt, lead, magnesium, nickel, silver, etc. These minerals are widely used in mechanical engineering, aerospace, high-precision weapons manufacturing, renewable energy and other industries. According to some estimates, demand for critical minerals will quadruple by 2040.

Central Asian countries possess significant reserves of critical minerals. Specifically, 38.6% of the world’s magnesium reserves, 30.7% of chromium, 20% of lead, 12.6% of zinc, 5.8% of aluminum, 8.7% of titanium, 5.3% of cobalt, 5.2% of molybdenum are located in Central Asia.   

China also has significant reserves of critical minerals, but the country not only exploits its own resources, but has also become a major processor of raw materials extracted in different parts of the world. Over the past decades, the United States (and not only) has become one of the main importers of critical minerals from China. Given the fierce geopolitical competition with China, this dependence could pose a serious threat in the event of escalating conflicts. That is why the United States is seeking new partners in this field. 

Perhaps, it was precisely to overcome this threat that the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) was established, with the aim of uniting countries involved in the extraction, exploration, and use of minerals (including rare earth elements, REE). At the same time, the structure is designed to ensure the smooth operation of mineral transport and logistics supply chains, support strategic projects, and promote private investment in this sector. The United States, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the European Union, represented by the European Commission, joined the structure.  

The draft also notes that minerals are important to the economic growth, prosperity, and national security of the United States. Uranium is the number one critical mineral in the countries of Central Asia. In 2024, Kazakhstan produced 23270 metric tons of uranium, ranking first and accounting for about 40% of global uranium production.  

Before its rapprochement with the West, Kazakhstan exported uranium mainly to 2 countries: the Russian Federation and China. Exports to the United States accounted for about 5%. A significant difference is already evident in the 2024-2025 indicators. Kazakhstan supplies approximately 24% of the U.S.'s uranium demand, surpassing the levels of the previous two years. It is also worth noting that demand for uranium has increased in the United States. Uranium production volumes in Kazakhstan also increased thanks to the use of new, more efficient, and less environmentally hazardous technologies such as In-Situ Recovery.   

Uzbekistan also has rich reserves of critical minerals. According to research results for 2025, Uzbekistan has approximately 15% of the world’s reserves of antimony. Antimony is used in the consumer and military industries. In particular, alloys of antimony and lead and other metals are used in the manufacture of artillery shells, bullets, thermal imaging equipment,  capsules, computers, telephones, and many other products.   

Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the United States in the field of mineral resources has intensified significantly over the past few years. In September 2025, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the heads of leading American mining companies in New York. The possibilities of establishing joint ventures and investments were discussed. An investment program worth approximately $1 billion was discussed with the American company Traxys, which is engaged in the development of critical metals. 

There are also antimony ore deposits in the United States, and after World War II, it was mined in Idaho. In 1997, due to low profitability, the mine closed, and the necessary volume of ore was imported from various countries, mainly from China, which has the world’s largest reserves of antimony. In 2024, amid ongoing geopolitical competition, China first tightened control and introduced a new licensing regime, then completely stopped ore sales to the United States.  

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan also have large reserves of antimony, which increases US interest in this region. 

In Kyrgyzstan, these mines are located near the town of Kadamjay, which became a significant mining center during the Soviet period. After the collapse of the USSR, ore mining practically ceased, but the infrastructure remained intact. Kyrgyzstan is now actively negotiating with various investors, especially businessmen from the European Union and the United States, to resume antimony ore mining. It should be noted that Kyrgyzstan ranks 4th in the world in terms of reserves of this strategically important critical mineral, after China, Russia, and Bolivia. Besides Kadamjay, deposits of this ore with a volume of about 16,000 tons have also been discovered in Northern Aktash. Kyrgyzstan also has reserves of aluminum and many other critical minerals.  

C5+1 Summit

C5+1 project gains new momentum in the fall of 2025. On October 26, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor paid a visit to Central Asia. The aim of the trip was to organize a meeting between the leaders of 5 Central Asian countries and the U.S. President. Central Asian countries also expected the C5+1 summit to result in broad technological and infrastructural cooperation with the United States. Also, a top priority here was cooperation in the extraction of rare minerals and elements, which is a key priority of President Trump’s administration.    

The summit with the leaders of Central Asian countries and U.S. President Donald Trump took place on November 6, 2025, in Washington. This was the second meeting with the president’s participation in the C5+1 format, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the platform’s creation. The first meeting took place in September 2023, during the presidency of Joe Biden. 

During the meeting, which was attended by US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump stated that relations between the United States and Central Asia would be “stronger than ever.” “Sadly, previous American presidents neglected this region completely. I understand the importance of this region,” Trump said. 

The most significant agreement was the joint extraction of tungsten in Kazakhstan, which will be carried out by the American Cove Kaz Capital Group and the Kazakh company Tau-Ken Samruk with a share distribution of 70% and 30%,  respectively. The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) will invest approximately $900 million. Mining will take place at the North Katpar and Upper Kairakty mines in Kazakhstan. The total investment in the project will amount to $1.1 billion. Cove Kaz Capital Group is the first American company to obtain the right to extract rare earth elements and metals (REE, REM) in Kazakhstan in 2023.

Following negotiations in Washington, Kazakhstan reached an agreement to purchase  18 Boeing 787-9 aircraft from the United States. An agreement is signed to purchase 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft from Uzbekistan and 14 from Tajikistan. 

The investment agreements reached are not limited to this. The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan signs a declaration of cooperation with Groq. A similar document has also been signed with NVIDIA, with the investment volume under this agreement amounting to approximately $2 billion. 

Overall, the total cost of the cooperation package between Kazakhstan and the United States amounts to approximately $17 billion. 

On November 7, 2025, the US State Department released a joint statement on intentions for economic cooperation with Central Asian countries. The document also mentions infrastructure, particularly the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). The parties agreed to develop supply chains, the economic potential of this route, and “connect it with TRIPP, ensuring the safe movement of goods, information, and energy between the C5+1 countries and the world.”

The political aspects of the C5+1 summit were also quite diverse. Kazakhstan’s membership in the Abraham Accords was the most actively discussed topic among experts. The United States initiated the Abraham Accords in September 2020. The Abraham Accords were signed by the US, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE agreed to join the new agreement because the Israeli authorities promised to end the occupation of the West Bank and the US authorities, in turn, promised to sell the UAE 50 F-35 fighter jets. A few days later, Bahrain joined the Abraham Accords, followed by Morocco and Sudan a few months later. This, too, did not happen without a “reward: the United States recognized Sudan’s rights over Western Sahara and lifted the sanctions against Sudan.   

Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Abraham Accords was not accidental. Kazakhstan has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel since 1992. Although trade turnover is small (about $500 million per year), relations between the two countries have been quite active. 

By joining the agreement, Kazakhstan sought to lay the groundwork for resistance to US tariff policy, while fully understanding that expanding the list of countries joining the Abraham Accords was important to the American side. 

Kazakhstan’s joining the Abraham Accords is an opportunity for the United States to expand the project. Kazakhstan is the first non-Arab Muslim country to join the agreement, which could be significant. In the foreseeable future, Uzbekistan and possibly Azerbaijan may sign the agreement. Kazakhstan also understands that its move should not encounter significant political resistance.   

A week after the C5+1 summit, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Russian Federation at the invitation of President V. Putin. As a result of the meeting and working talks, the leaders of the two countries signed a Declaration on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Alliance. According to President Tokayev, “The declaration opens a new era of mutual trust and cooperation in all areas.” 

The heads of states expressed satisfaction with the volume of bilateral trade turnover, noting that it reaches $30 billion per year. Russia promises to increase gas supplies to Kazakhstan’s northern regions. The sides confirm that with the support of the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan will build the country’s first nuclear power plant. 

Azerbaijan joins the C5+1 initiative

On November 15-16, 2025, another meeting of Central Asian leaders was held in Tashkent, to which the President of Azerbaijan was also invited. Azerbaijan has been participating in meetings of this format since 2023. Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed transforming the traditional consultative body of Central Asian leaders into a Community of Central Asia. The newly created body will promote economic integration in the region of more than 80 million people. During the meeting of Central Asian leaders, it was decided to grant Azerbaijan full membership in the C5 format, transforming the initiative into C6.   

There are different approaches to the future format of C5+1, Some express concern that in the event of changes over time and shifts in the geopolitical situation, U.S. interest in the region may wane. There are also views that this format will develop in the medium term, increasing the geopolitical significance of the Middle Corridor, along with other factors. Israel is also mentioned among the future beneficiaries of the Middle Corridor, which in the event of favorable political developments, could even connect the infrastructure branches of the Middle Corridor and IMEC.    

As is often said, we live in a world where unpredictable developments can occur. In any case,  the next 1-2 years will show to what extent the agreements reached today will become reality.