AUGUST 12, WASHINGTON, DC - The recent C6 Summit in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, marked another milestone in the evolution of regional cooperation among the five countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. Building on years of expanding political dialogue and economic engagement, the summit demonstrated the growing willingness of regional leaders to translate shared interests into practical initiatives that strengthen connectivity, economic development, and regional resilience. On August 12, the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) convened a discussion to examine how the C6 countries can sustain and build upon this growing momentum. The event brought together regional and U.S. diplomats, policy experts, academics, and business leaders to explore the future of U.S.-Caspian cooperation. The discussion featured the following speakers: Khazar Ibrahim, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States; Magzhan Ilyassov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States; Edil Baisalov, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States; Esen Aydogdyyev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the United States; and Furqat Sidiqov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States. 

CPC President and Chief Executive Officer Efgan Nifti opened the event with welcoming remarks. He noted the region’s transformation from one marked by border disputes, political tensions, and regional concerns to one increasingly defined by dialogue and cooperation, observing that, as demonstrated at the Cholpon-Ata Summit, “the conversation has changed.” Nifti emphasized Azerbaijan’s growing role in Central Asia’s economic development, noting that “Azerbaijan, once viewed as an external partner, has quickly become an integral part of Central Asia’s broader economic agenda and is a natural gateway linking the Caucasus region to European markets.” He also underscored the important role of the United States in supporting regional stability, highlighting the Trump administration’s leading role in advancing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

Following the opening remarks, CPC Senior Fellow Dr. Eric Rudenshiold launched the moderated discussion by addressing the region’s evolving geopolitical landscape. Rudenshiold described the Cholpon-Ata Summit as “another opportunity and step in this remarkable evolution of relations between the five Central Asian states and Azerbaijan.” He noted that political dialogue among the C6 countries has become increasingly “routinized,” reflecting a growing degree of regional engagement and coordination. “You listen to the vision of each of the presidents of the region and they are all seeing the importance of unity; it’s really quite remarkable,” he observed. 

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States Khazar Ibrahim discussed the importance of regional agency and unity in shaping the future of the C6 framework. He described the Cholpon-Ata Summit as a reflection of the region’s growing cohesion, stating, “The message of Cholpon-Ata is that we are finally holistic. We are all together.” He also highlighted Azerbaijan’s role in strengthening the region’s connectivity, noting that with Azerbaijan’s participation, “the Caspian Sea is now both east coast and west coast,” which he said would bring not only greater diversity to the C6 framework but also “practical results.” 

Speaking on the importance of the Middle Corridor, Ambassador Ibrahim emphasized that it is already a functioning route rather than merely a long-term prospect, noting that the focus should now be on expanding its capacity and reach. “Being a bridge is not our choice. It gives us a lot of opportunities – we're working with our partners, friends, and brothers,” he added. 

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States Magzhan Ilyassov emphasized Kazakhstan’s interest in strengthening regional economic ties and connectivity, noting that the development of an “economically active neighborhood” is a key priority. He specifically highlighted the importance of regular regional dialogue: "We meet on different platforms regularly, and the meetings include almost all of the five Central Asian republics. We’re talking and no one is excluded. That’s important.”  

Ilyassov also underscored the growing importance of external interest in Central Asia, noting that the region’s future development will depend not only on its own priorities but also on sustained engagement from international partners. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that the Central Asian and Caspian regions will continue to receive the same level of attention, engagement, and support from the United States that they currently enjoy. 

As the Cholpon-Ata Summit’s host country’s representative, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States Edil Baisalov emphasized the growing importance of regional unity and how to achieve it. He argued that the Central Asian states are increasingly recognizing that they are “enough for each other” and that acting collectively and resolving internal differences independently is becoming a pragmatic national interest. Baisalov described this as a new geopolitical reality and highlighted the spirit of Cholpon-Ata as a commitment to preventing external powers from creating divisions or entanglements within the region. 

Looking ahead, Ambassador Baisalov identified transportation connectivity as a key tangible outcome of regional cooperation. While underscoring the importance of Western and Trans-Caspian routes, he also highlighted the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway as a transformative project, describing it as “a manifestation of the emergence of what Central Asia always was in the global economy.” 

Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the United States Esen Aydogdyyev stressed the evolving role of the Caspian Sea as a driver of regional connectivity, stating that “the Caspian is neither a limit nor a barrier. It is now a bridge that connects Central Asia with Azerbaijan.” Looking ahead, Ambassador Aydogdyyev underscored the importance of delivering tangible outcomes from regional cooperation, particularly efforts to simplify customs procedures. He noted that “for us, the most important thing—of course—is deliverables,” adding that the continuation and strengthening of regional unity would be among the most important outcomes. 

Speaking on Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality, Ambassador Aydogdyyev said that his country remains central in the approach to regional and international engagement. “Turkmenistan and neutrality are two inseparable notions,” he said, noting that the country’s actions, both within the region and beyond, are guided by this principle. At the same time, he stressed that neutrality should not be interpreted as isolation. Rather, Turkmenistan remains open to cooperation based on mutual benefit and the quality of partnerships. “Our neutrality does not prevent us [from working with others]; it actually makes us a reliable and trustworthy partner in the region,” Aydogdyyev said. 

Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States Furqat Sidiqov described the Cholpon-Ata summit as a continuation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s strategy of strengthening political partnerships across Central Asia. He characterized the region as “a political hub that provides new sustainable, predictable supply chains, which are free from conflict zones.” Sidiqov also emphasized the importance of expanding Uzbekistan’s access to international markets, noting, “We need a new export market, and I think this platform with Azerbaijan is the beginning for us to be open to European and other markets.” 

Turning to regional connectivity, Sidiqov underscored Uzbekistan’s interest in further developing the Middle Corridor through digitalization, stating, “We would like to digitalize the Middle Corridor, which will be very important.” He also pointed to the growth of regional economic cooperation, noting that while Uzbekistan had “close to 300 joint ventures with Central Asian countries” in 2017, the number has since grown to about 1,500 joint ventures with neighboring countries. 

The ambassadors’ discussion focused on the region's growing pursuit of practical, results-oriented cooperation, including agreements and initiatives announced at Cholpon-Ata: strengthening regional transportation and trade corridors, expanding energy cooperation, improving customs and logistics coordination, fostering digital connectivity, deepening investment and commercial ties, and advancing cooperation on water issues, environmental sustainability, and tourism.  

Following the formal discussion, attendees participated in an interactive question-and-answer session with the ambassadors, addressing regional cooperation, investment opportunities, and the future of U.S. engagement in Central Asia.