Uzbekistan, U.S. hold first strategic partnership dialogue, sign Artemis Accords

Uzbekistan and the United States held the first meeting of their Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD) in Samarkand, discussing trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, advanced technologies and security cooperation, Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on October 19.

The meeting focused on the implementation of agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders and opportunities to expand bilateral economic and technological cooperation, Saidov wrote on his Telegram channel.

Rubio noted that the discussions covered infrastructure, space, critical minerals and expanding cooperation through the C5+1 diplomatic platform, which brings together the United States and the five Central Asian countries.

Uzbekistan signs Artemis Accords

Following the bilateral negotiations, Saidov and Rubio signed the Artemis Accords, which establish principles for international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of space, including the Moon, Mars, comets and asteroids.

The agreement could open further opportunities for Uzbekistan to cooperate with NASA and other participating countries’ space agencies, train national specialists and facilitate the transfer of space technologies.

Uzbekistan became the 77th country to sign the accords.

U.S.-Central Asia economic ties

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special representative for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, also highlighted the economic dimension of the visit. In a post on X, Gor noted that he visited Samarkand’s historic Registan Square alongside Saida Mirziyoyeva, Rubio and Saidov.

Rubio arrived in Samarkand on October 18 with more than 200 business representatives to participate in the C5+1 summit. He was welcomed by Mirziyoyeva, head of Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, and Saidov.

During the visit, Rubio is scheduled to meet representatives of the five Central Asian countries before travelling to the Indian cities of Mumbai and Jamnagar.

Rubio previously indicated that billions of dollars in agreements could be signed during his trip to Uzbekistan, as Washington seeks to deepen economic engagement with Central Asia.