[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 183 (Monday, November 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ACKNOWLEDGING THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE FIRST-EVER U.S.-CENTRAL 
                          ASIA LEADER'S SUMMIT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 6, 2023

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the successful 
outcome of the first-ever U.S.-Central Asia Leader's Summit. On 
September 21, 2023, on the margins of the United Nations General 
Assembly, President Joseph R. Biden met with the Presidents of 
Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and 
Uzbekistan for the inaugural C5+1 Presidential Summit.
  Since its inception in 2015, the C5+1 platform has increased U.S.-
Central Asia dialogue and cooperation to advance an independent, 
prosperous, and secure Central Asia that addresses common concerns in 
partnership with the United States. The United States and the C5 stand 
united and committed to activities in the region that enhance security, 
improve economic resilience, support sustainable development, combat 
climate change, and promote peace.
  Key aspects of the security arrangement discussed at the summit 
included cooperation on law enforcement through expanded information 
sharing, cooperation on border security and safe migration, including 
respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, 
and the sharing of best practices on countering terrorism and 
preventing radicalization. The Parties also agreed to promote the rule 
of law and improve democratic governance.
  To that end, the U.S. and Central Asia are determined to accelerate 
regional cooperation and connectivity. This includes expanding trade 
routes such as the Trans-Caspian Trade Route (or the ``Middle 
Corridor''), advancing efforts to create a more favorable business 
environment for U.S. private sector trade and investment in Central 
Asia, and working toward establishing permanent normal trade relations 
(PNTR).
  The Parties remain dedicated to integrating regional energy systems 
to diversify and expand new energy export routes and reliably supply 
global markets, integrating energy systems, increasing clean energy 
production, and developing and securing critical minerals supply chains 
The Parties are committed to redoubling efforts to increase clean 
energy production, mitigate methane emissions, develop sustainable 
hydropower capacity, and increase energy efficiency, particularly by 
mobilizing public and private financing for a green energy transition.
  Through ongoing dialogue and collaborative efforts, the C5+1 can 
realize its vision for a more resilient, secure, and prosperous Central 
Asia, and foster closer people-to-people connections between the region 
and the United States.

                          ____________________