On September 19, history was made with the first-ever C5+1 Presidential gathering with U.S. President Biden. The C5 group, made up of the five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), was established in 2015. However, since its establishment, a United States President had never met with the group – Until now. Ongoing political and security turmoil in Ukraine has led the United States to recognize that it must seek a greater role in Central Asia because “the world is safer when we stand together." With U.S. President Joseph Biden’s meeting with the group in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, U.S.-Central Asian cooperation is rising to new heights.

In this expert panel, speakers will address areas of opportunity between Central Asia and the United States, potential challenges to enhancing cooperation with Central Asia, and the regional implications of the United States’ increased engagement with Central Asia.

The Caspian Policy Center is proud to host leading regional experts to address these questions and discuss what concrete steps the United States can take to help deepen further engagement with the region.

REGISTER

AGENDA

10:00 am – 10:05 am    -   Opening Remarks

      · Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer, Caspian Policy Center

10:05 am – 11:30 am    -   Moderated Discussion and Q&A

 Moderated by Marsha McGraw Olive, Board Member, Caspian Policy Center

     · Eric Hontz, Director, Center for Accountable Investment, Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)

     · Eric Rudenshiold, Senior Fellow, Caspian Policy Center

     · Iskander Akylbayev, Chief Research Fellow, Institute for Strategic Studies under President of

Center

     · Akram Umarov, Deputy Director, Institute for Advanced International Studies at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, UzbekistaN