Key facts
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Uzbekistan on Sunday, October 21, 2026.
- Rubio will meet with leaders from the C5+1 grouping in Samarkand.
- The US is seeking to expand trade and diplomatic ties in Central Asia.
- The trip follows shifting US foreign policy priorities and amid ongoing global conflicts.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to Uzbekistan on Sunday, October 21, 2026, to meet with leaders from the C5+1 grouping, which includes the United States and five Central Asian nations. This visit highlights a strategic shift in US foreign policy, focusing on regions beyond traditional geopolitical hotspots, even as major global conflicts and diplomatic challenges persist.
The C5+1 initiative brings together the US with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The Trump administration views resource-rich Central Asia as a region deserving of increased attention. President Trump previously hosted C5 leaders at the White House in November 2025, during which Kazakhstan agreed to join the Abraham Accords.
Rubio's travel itinerary reflects a pattern of engaging with regions not always at the center of the news cycle, while other foreign policy portfolios are handled by different Trump aides. This approach has drawn commentary from officials like Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who defended the strategy of visiting diverse destinations.
Discussions in Central Asia are expected to touch upon US efforts to counter Russian sanctions evasion, as the region maintains historical ties with Moscow. The US is also pursuing a potential trade deal with India, which Rubio will visit after Uzbekistan, and exploring further expansion of the Abraham Accords in Central Asia. Over 200 business executives will accompany Rubio on the trip, underscoring a focus on commercial engagement and access to the region's rare earth mineral resources.