US Secretary of State Pompeo to Visit Central Asia in 2026

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has declared his intention to visit Central Asian nations in 2026, signaling continued American engagement with the region. The announcement came during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.

Pompeo affirmed the Trump administration's backing for the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. This amendment imposes trade restrictions on the United States' dealings with the Central Asian republics. "We believe that would be beneficial," Pompeo stated, highlighting the administration's view that removing this barrier would foster stronger economic ties.

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We believe that would be beneficial

Furthermore, Pompeo revealed plans to participate in a C5+1 meeting in the region later this year. The C5+1 mechanism, established around 2015, facilitates collective interaction between the United States and the five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This diplomatic forum underscores Washington's commitment to strategic dialogue and cooperation with this pivotal geopolitical area.

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we are going to hold a meeting in the region in C5+1 format (USA and five Central Asian countries), which I will travel to later this year