The International Institute for Central Asia hosted a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick.

The Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the invitation to visit the Institute, considering that this was his first meeting with the leadership of the IICA. The diplomat was familiarized with the Institute’s research activities and the schedule of international events planned for 2024.

The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation, current issues of regional and international importance, and processes in Central Asia within the C5+1 format.

The results of the first historic summit of the C5+1 Heads of State, which took place in New York last year, were particularly noted. According to the Ambassador, this platform is the basis for a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and trust.

In this context, it was emphasized that the C5+1 format reaffirms the commitment of the Central Asian countries and the United States to strengthen security, increase economic resilience, support sustainable development, combat climate change, and promote peace throughout the region.

The U.S. Ambassador also highlighted the need to maintain contacts at the level of the two countries’ think tanks and expressed readiness to assist in establishing direct contacts with leading U.S. think tanks, including the Atlantic Council, the United States Institute of Peace, the Caspian Policy Centre and the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs.

Gayrat Khonnazarov, UzA