Last November, the Central Asia – United States summit took place in Washington, attended by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Following the summit, new directions for interaction between the participating states were identified.

In continuation of the agreements reached, a meeting of the Ministers of Culture of Central Asian countries and the United States in the C5+1 format was held today in Tashkent. Kazakhstan was represented at the venue by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva. Among the participants was also the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Sarah Rogers.

During the event, the parties discussed prospects for the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

Aida Balayeva noted that within the framework of the Summit of Heads of State, a Joint Statement on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage was adopted, which confirmed a common commitment to strengthening the long-standing interaction in the field of protecting cultural values, developing museum cooperation, and digitalizing cultural heritage. And today, expanding the format of cooperation will allow for activating joint work. In particular, this refers to interaction in the field of culture and creative industries, providing for the development of digital projects, professional exchanges, tourist routes, and international partnership between C5+1 countries.

Following the meeting, the participants signed the Protocol of the Meeting of Ministers of Culture of Central Asian Countries and the United States of America, in which they confirmed their commitment to implementing the provisions of the Joint Statement on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, and also agreed on the further development of cooperation through joint events and festivals in the fields of art, literature, theater, cinematography, and music.

Within the framework of the meeting of Ministers of Culture of Central Asian countries and the United States, Aida Balayeva also met with Sarah Rogers. During the negotiations, a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed, including culture and projects related to artificial intelligence.

In conclusion, the parties expressed confidence that the agreements reached at the meeting of Ministers of Culture of Central Asian countries and the United States in the "C5+1" format will serve as a basis for further expanding partnership.