Ten years after its launch in 2015, the C5+1 has become a central pillar of U.S. engagement with Central Asia—bringing together Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan with the United States to advance regional stability, sovereignty, and connectivity. Over the past decade, the platform has evolved from ministerial dialogue to leader-level partnership, anchoring cooperation across security, economic, and energy domains. As the region undergoes rapid realignment amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s expanding economic footprint, the C5+1 faces the dual challenge of sustaining momentum and delivering tangible results. At the same time, expanded connectivity through the Middle Corridor, growing intra-regional economic and energy integration, and U.S. interest in critical minerals offer new avenues for strategic collaboration.

 

The Caspian Policy Center will convene regional and U.S. officials, diplomats, and policy experts to examine how the C5+1 can approach its second decade—deepening economic ties, strengthening regional resilience, and positioning Central Asia as a reliable partner in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Panelists will discuss policy adjustments and institutional innovations needed to sustain a robust U.S. strategic presence in this pivotal region. They will also discuss results from the two events that recently took place in the region, U.S.-Central Asia Think Tank Forum and Astana International Think Tank Forum, ahead of the upcoming C5+1 Business Conference and Presidential Summit.

 

9:00 – 9:30 – Registration and Breakfast

 

9:30 – 9:35.  Opening Remarks

· Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer, Caspian Policy Center

· Ambassador (ret.) Richard Hoagland, Chairman of the Board, Caspian Policy Center

 

9:35 – 10:20 – Panel I: Deepening Strategic Partnership Amid Global Shifts

Moderator: Katie Putz, Managing Editor, The Diplomat

Panelists:

· Javlon Vakhabov, Managing Director, International Institute for Central Asia; Former Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States

· Zhandos Shaimardanov, Director, Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies

· Dr. Eric Rudenshiold, Senior Fellow for Caspian Affairs, Caspian Policy Center

· Clark Adams, Former Director for Central Asian Affairs in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, U.S. Department of Defense

 

10:35 – 11:20 – Panel II: The Next Phase of U.S.-Central Asia Cooperation: Economic Connectivity, Energy and Resilience

Moderator: Eric Green, Advisory Board Member, Caspian Policy Center; Former Senior Director for Russia and Central Asia, U.S. National Security Council

Panelists:

· Iskander Akylbayev, Chief Executive Officer, Xander Group

· Zhandos Temirgali, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Qemtex

· Brianne Todd, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center; Adjunct Assistant Professor, Georgetown University

· Ambassador (ret.) Matthew Klimow, Advisory Board Member, Caspian Policy Center; Former Ambassador of U.S. to Turkmenistan