U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries in 2026, as announced during the C5+1 welcome reception.
«I personally intend to visit in the coming year as well — all five [countries], so I know it’ll probably be a week-long or longer trip. We’ve got to work on that and make it happen together,» Rubio said during the ceremony.
He acknowledged that it is «high time» for the U.S. to engage more actively with Central Asian nations, admitting that the region has been somewhat neglected over the past decade.
«We often spend so much time focused on crises and problems — and they deserve attention — that we sometimes don’t spend enough time on exciting new opportunities,» Rubio added.
According to the U.S. Secretary of State, the White House is seeking ways for American innovation, business and products to reach new markets, while Central Asian countries aim to diversify their economies beyond energy and mineral exports.
In this context, Rubio said American technologies and investments could play an important role in supporting the region’s economic development.
«When your national interest and our national interest are aligned, that’s when we have to pursue those partnerships and build deep ties. And I think they’re aligned in so many ways,» he concluded.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on November 7 during his visit to Washington for the C5+1 summit.
