Kurt M. Campbell Deputy Secretary of State | Official Website
The United States and Uzbekistan held their fourth annual Strategic Partnership Dialogue on November 13, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The meeting was led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Muzaffar Madrakhimov. Both parties agreed to elevate the dialogue's status to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD) due to its significance in strengthening bilateral relations.
Discussions covered various topics, including economic collaboration, human rights, security issues, and people-to-people connections. The United States reaffirmed its support for Uzbekistan’s independence and territorial integrity.
Both nations highlighted new cooperation areas such as critical minerals production and modernizing Uzbekistan’s natural gas infrastructure. Significant progress has been made in the critical minerals sector with a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in September and Uzbekistan joining the Minerals Security Partnership.
The delegations also discussed regional matters through the C5+1 diplomatic format. Achievements in 2024 included a C5+1 Foreign Ministers meeting, the launch of the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue, the inaugural B5+1 Forum supporting U.S.-Central Asian business partnerships, and a Special Session on Disability Rights at the UN.
Security cooperation was emphasized with strengthened ties between defense departments and law enforcement agencies. The United States commended Uzbekistan for signing the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement in September.
Progress in addressing gender-based violence and labor rights was acknowledged. Both countries agreed to continue promoting fundamental freedoms aligned with Uzbekistan's reform agenda.
The United States welcomed Uzbekistan’s adoption of USAID-supported educational materials for public schools and applauded efforts to enhance economic opportunities for Uzbekistani women. Cultural preservation efforts were recognized with $500,000 awarded through the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation for work in Samarkand's Registan Square.
Assistant Secretary Lu and Deputy Foreign Minister Madrakhimov confirmed plans to hold the first Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue in Tashkent in 2025.
