After becoming a fixture of Central Asian diplomacy in recent years, the C5+1 diplomatic format is primed to continue its central role in 2025.  Already, there are two major conferences scheduled bringing together the five Central Asian states with partner governments, and based on 2024’s busy schedule, others seem likely.

Confirmed Upcoming C5+1 Conferences 

At December’s Central Asia-China Ministerial conference of Foreign Ministers in Chengdu, China, it was announced there would be another C5+1 summit of Presidents in 2025, to be held in Kazakhstan.  A precise date has not yet been released, but this summit seems likely to focus on economic investments, implementation of Belt and Road Initiative projects, and the building out of Central Asia’s regional connectivity, all of which China is heavily involved in.

Another confirmed C5+1 summit is set to take place this year in Seoul, South Korea.  Becoming a larger component of the investment landscape and signing a critical minerals agreement with Uzbekistan in 2024, South Korea has steadily been expanding its relations with Central Asia in recent years.   A South Korean firm is also under consideration to provide the nuclear reactors for Kazakhstan’s planned Lake Balkhash nuclear power plant.  However, with Seoul’s current President now stripped of power and facing a possible arrest following his attempt at implementing martial law, the C5+South Korea conference's future is not entirely certain. 

Possible C5+1 Conferences in the Coming Year

While it has not been confirmed, a Central Asia–Russia summit seems highly likely in the coming year, given September statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that "the format we created several years ago, Central Asia plus Russia, has been quite productive.... Now, we are gearing up for the second summit in the foreseeable future.”  A Central Asia–Russia ministerial was last held in April, on the sidelines of a Commonwealth of Independent States conference in Minsk, Belarus. 

A C5+Azerbaijan summit also seems likely in the coming year.  Baku’s relations with the Central Asian states are quite strong, working through both the C5+1 and Organization of Turkic States, with multiple meetings last year of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and the Central Asian heads of state, including at a C5+1 in Astana, Kazakhstan, in August.  Azerbaijan is a crucial component of the Middle Corridor and is slated to begin transporting green energy from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan westward, meaning there is much to be discussed at a C5+Azerbaijan.

Likewise, a C5 gathering with either a single European Union representative, or with the head of a major European state, should not come as a surprise.  In 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Sholtz took part in a C5+1 summit, and President Emmanual Macron visited Central Asia, but on a bi-lateral basis.  A C5+Europe meeting is not without precedent, as a C5 summit with then-EU President Charles Michael took place in 2023. 

Lastly, an American C5+1 is possible.  Engagement between Washington and Central Asia has been steadily on the rise since 2019, when then President Trump hosted the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to separate White House visits.  In 2023, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, President Joe Biden took part in the first ever C5+1 summit between the United States and Central Asian heads of state. 

The C5 format has been productive in recent years. It now appears to be the dominant diplomatic format preferred by Central Asian states.  2025 seems set to continue these productive engagements.