Secretary Antony J. Blinken participated in a C5+1 meeting at the Palace Hotel in New York City on September 27, 2024. In his remarks, Blinken expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration between the United States and Central Asian countries.
"Well, good morning, everyone. And I’m so pleased to – excuse me – welcome all of our friends and partners from Central Asia for this C5+1 meeting today," said Blinken. He emphasized the U.S.'s support for "the independence, the sovereignty, the territorial integrity of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan."
Blinken highlighted the progress made through the C5+1 framework and mentioned a notable meeting with President Biden as a significant achievement. He noted that their joint efforts have been focused on addressing regional solutions to global challenges which include enhancing sustainable economic growth and strengthening energy and climate resilience.
Next year marks the tenth anniversary of the C5+1 initiative. "The United States, for its part, looks very much forward to celebrating this enduring partnership," stated Blinken. He underscored the importance of not only celebrating past achievements but also continuing to grow and strengthen their cooperation.
He concluded by reflecting on their accomplishments and emphasizing future goals: "And today’s a very good opportunity to take stock of what we’ve been able to achieve but also to keep us focused on the future and all that we can do together."
