The U.S. Department of State has updated the United States Strategy for Central Asia 2019-2025, which says that the United States’ strategic interest in this region is to build a more stable and prosperous Central Asia.
According to the new Strategy, in Central Asia, the United States has six overarching and mutually reinforcing objectives, including:
- Support and strengthen the sovereignty and independence of the Central Asian States, individually and as a region. With consistent U.S. engagement on economic, energy, security, democracy, and governance issues, the Central Asian states will function as a region of cooperative partners, increasing their ability to maintain individual sovereignty and make clear choices to achieve and preserve economic independence.
The United States will increase its diplomatic engagement in the region and will provide programmatic assistance to support local government efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and enhance economic prosperity. In addition, the United States will support efforts to bridge differences that have divided the region. U.S. support for a unified electric grid across Central Asia will help facilitate the trade of surplus electricity to reduce costs for consumers, generate revenues for suppliers, improve regional energy security, and reduce reliance on external actors. The American University of Central Asia in Bishkek is a growing hub for the region’s greatest young minds to earn U.S. degrees, gain in-demand business skills, and create life-long regional affiliations.
- Promote rule of law reform and respect for human rights. The Central Asian states will increase their stability by providing for meaningful citizen input, inclusive political systems through elections, transparent policy formulation, rule of law, and respect for human rights.
The United States provides technical expertise to the countries of Central Asia in developing and implementing justice sector reforms that are essential for protecting human rights, as well as improving the investment climate and retaining highly skilled human capital. The United States supports strengthening civil society organizations so that citizens can provide meaningful input on key public policy issues, enhancing governments’ responsiveness to their citizens. U.S. Embassy programs provide hundreds of journalists with skills and networks necessary to help keep governments accountable to their citizens and highlight new government efforts to improve the lives of everyday people.
- Promote United States investment in and development of Central Asia. The enabling environment for business in Central Asia will be transparent, open, fair, attractive to U.S. businesses, and supportive of broader development goals. The United States is working with each Central Asian country to undertake the reforms needed to attract more foreign investment, including from American businesses. Through primary, secondary, and tertiary education reform, the United States is working to equip the next generation with the in-demand technical, managerial, English language, and critical thinking skills needed to support 21st century economies that attract international investment and produce local entrepreneurs.
The effective implementation of this strategy will help ensure that Central Asia is a stable and secure region that is deepening engagement with the United States, the document says.
