US to train thousands of young tech specialists across Central Asia
The United States plans to train thousands of young specialists across Central Asia to work with advanced American technologies, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced during the C5+1 ministerial meeting in Samarkand on October 19.
The initiative aims to develop local expertise in the region’s expanding technology industries while strengthening economic cooperation between Washington and the five Central Asian republics, according to RIA Novosti.
«We intend to train thousands of young professionals to use and support advanced American technologies in Central Asia’s growing technology sectors,» Rubio said.
He did not specify how many specialists would participate, which countries would host the training programmes or when the initiative would begin.
The announcement comes as Washington seeks to expand its technological and commercial presence in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Alongside specialist training, Rubio said the United States intended to encourage closer cooperation between private companies during the C5+1 forum to increase bilateral trade and investment.
The summit program
The business programme in Samarkand brings together representatives of more than 400 companies, including over 100 American businesses, 100 firms from other Central Asian countries and 200 Uzbek companies, according to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies.
Discussions cover digital technologies, education, healthcare, critical minerals, energy, transport, agriculture and investment, with direct negotiations between businesses and government representatives also planned.
Rubio previously described Uzbekistan as the cornerstone of Central Asia, praising its economic growth and identifying opportunities for American companies to expand their operations in the country.
The C5+1 diplomatic framework was established in 2015 to strengthen cooperation between the United States and the five Central Asian republics.
Rubio’s visit forms part of Washington’s renewed engagement with the region, with trade, critical minerals and technology partnerships among its priorities.
