Uzbekistan – USA: strategic partnership as a driver of interregional cooperation

On November 4, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived on a working visit to Washington, where he will take part in the summit of leaders of Central Asian countries and the United States in the “C5+1” format, and will hold meetings with President Donald Trump, representatives of the Senate and House of Representatives of Congress, as well as heads of US ministries and departments.

The C5+1 format, launched in November 2015 in Samarkand, has become an important tool for coordination and interaction on issues of regional development, economic sustainability, ecology, energy and security. Its main goal is to build a permanent diplomatic dialogue, exchange views on current issues, strengthen transport and energy ties, develop trade, business and humanitarian interaction. The “Joint Declaration of Partnership and Cooperation” adopted at the first meeting cemented the US commitment to supporting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the countries of Central Asia.

The first C5+1 Heads of State Summit in New York in September 2023 provided powerful impetus to advancing the comprehensive agenda and marked the launch of initiatives such as the B5+1 Private Sector Business Platform (Almaty, March 2024) and Dialogue on Critical Minerals (February 2024). During the period of activity of the format, 13 ministerial meetings and 3 high-level meetings were held; specialized forums were held on climate, development, Afghanistan and other priorities.

Uzbekistan takes an active and constructive position within the C5+1, consistently advocating the institutionalization of interaction, strengthening cooperation in the field of border security, intensifying the fight against climate and environmental problems, continuing projects in the field of trade, investment, transport and energy, as well as supporting initiatives on Afghanistan. Many initiatives of Tashkent received the support of partners and found practical implementation: the creation of a virtual “Secretariat of C5+1” (2021), meetings on TIFA (March 2023, Samarkand), development of projects in the field of artificial intelligence and educational programs (C5+1).

The consequences of these multilateral initiatives are obvious: strengthening regional cooperation has opened new export routes, increased investment attractiveness and created platforms for expert exchange, which together strengthens the stability of Central Asia.

Uzbekistan’s active participation in the C5+1 is organically combined with the course to deepen bilateral cooperation with the United States, which is developing across the entire line - politics, security, economics, science and culture.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on February 19, 1992, relations between Tashkent and Washington have come a long way. A turning point was the official visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the United States on May 15–17, 2018, which laid the foundation for a new era of strategic partnership. The President also held meetings with US leaders at multilateral platforms: on the sidelines of the summit in Riyadh in May 2017 and in New York during the sessions of the UN General Assembly in September 2017 and 2025.

The bilateral political dialogue was transformed in 2021 into the “Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Uzbekistan and the United States”, the meetings of which are held alternately in the capitals of the two countries. The fourth meeting was held in Washington on November 13, 2024 - following its results, an agreement was reached to upgrade the status of the event to the Expanded Strategic Partnership Dialogue.

It should also be emphasized the regular visits of representatives of the American administration and special envoys to Uzbekistan.

In 2025, visits of the special representative of the US President for Global Partnership Paolo Zampolli (August 28–September 1, 2025) and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gora, together with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau (October 25–27, 2025).

Confirmation of the high level of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and the United States, as well as the mutual desire to strengthen constructive dialogue and implement joint initiatives, was the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov to the United States on April 8-10, 2025. During the visit, meetings were held with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser to the US President Michael Waltz. The parties discussed a wide range of regional and international issues, paying special attention to strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the United States. Particular emphasis was placed on cooperation in the field of security, promoting economic progress, expanding regional connectivity, and promoting sustainable development in Central Asia.

The dynamics of inter-parliamentary relations are also high: the “Caucus on Uzbekistan” was created in the US House of Representatives in 2018 with the participation of representatives of both parties, and regular visits by congressional delegations take place.

Economic and investment cooperation is also developing at a dynamic pace. Bilateral trade turnover and the number of investment projects are growing every year. Today, companies such as Air Products, General Electric, General Motors, Boeing, Honeywell, Coca‑Cola, John Deere, and others successfully operate in Uzbekistan.

As part of the IV Tashkent International Investment Forum held on June 9, 2025, the American-Uzbek Business Forum was held with the participation of about 100 US companies. At the meeting, memorandums were signed and negotiations were held with representatives of Boeing, FLS, Visa, NASDAQ, Air Products, Franklin Templeton, Morgan Stanley and others.

The United States supports Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). In December 2024, a protocol was signed on the completion of bilateral negotiations on Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO - an important step in integration into the global trading system.

The cultural and humanitarian sphere is an essential component of bilateral relations. Sister city relations have been established between the cities of Tashkent-Seattle, Bukhara-Santa Fe, Zarafshan-Clinton. These exchanges at the municipal level contribute to the development of cultural and educational projects, tourism and business cooperation.

The branch of Webster University, opened in Tashkent in 2019, and the American University of Technology (AUT), established in partnership with Arizona State University, play a high role in educational cooperation. On August 30, 2025, an “American Corner” was opened on the basis of AUT, a cultural and educational center for strengthening scientific and educational cooperation.

In October 2023, the regional forum “Education USA” (65 US universities) was held in Tashkent. The activities of the American Councils Representative Office (ACIE) have been resumed, and work is underway to resume the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan.

Transport connectivity has also received new opportunities - since July 2017, direct flights of the national airline on the Tashkent-New York-Tashkent route have been resumed, which simplifies business and humanitarian contacts.

In addition, the United States consistently supports Uzbekistan’s internal reforms. Reports from the State Department and the Department of Labor noted progress in combating human trafficking and eliminating the worst forms of child labor; Uzbek cotton has been removed from the list of goods produced using child labor; in December 2020, Uzbekistan was removed from the list of countries of particular concern in the field of religious freedom; In April 2024, the US Trade Representative decided to remove Uzbekistan from its intellectual property watch list.

Thus, the beginning visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the United States and participation in the C5+1 summit will give a new powerful impetus to the practical implementation of projects on both the multilateral and bilateral agenda. The visit will undoubtedly strengthen political channels of dialogue, accelerate the implementation of investment agreements, expand educational and cultural exchanges and give a new impetus to projects in the field of energy, transport and digital technologies.

For Uzbekistan, it will be another opportunity to confirm the status of an active and reliable partner in Central Asia, and for the United States, a platform for strengthening cooperation in a region important for global stability and economic development.

IA “Dunyo”