US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting Uzbekistan, addressed journalists at Registan Square in Samarkand, Daryo.uz reported.
Accompanied by Saida Mirziyoyeva, the head of the Uzbek Presidential Administration, the top US diplomat toured the historical complex and emphasized the region's strategic role in global trade. During his speech, he noted the ongoing parallel talks involving representatives of nearly 300 American companies and the discussion of potential investment contracts worth billions of dollars.
A C5+1 ministerial meeting involving the heads of the US and five Central Asian countries is also scheduled in Samarkand as part of his visit. The upcoming meeting will focus on strengthening trade routes, joint energy initiatives, and expanding regional security.
Marco Rubio's visit to Samarkand and the large-scale business summit mark a new stage in Washington's foreign policy strategy in Central Asia. The emphasis on economic pragmatism, the attraction of large-scale US private investment, and the direct participation of hundreds of American corporations demonstrate the US desire to move beyond declarative engagement to building strong commercial and technological ties with the region.
For Central Asian countries, strengthening the C5+1 format provides additional opportunities to diversify their foreign trade partners, attract advanced technologies, and develop critical infrastructure in the context of the global transformation of trade routes.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 19, 2026