Secretary Rubio Leads U.S. Delegation at U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council

Distinguished participants, honored guests, and ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the meeting of the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council.

The floor is now given to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to deliver his welcoming remarks. Applause.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed delegates to the second meeting of the Uzbekistan-United States Business and Investment Council, highlighting Samarkand’s historic role as a conduit of trade and culture, and the symbolic opportunity to expand Uzbekistan-U.S. cooperation.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized that bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and the United States have reached their highest level in history, noting President Donald Trump’s personal commitment to strengthening ties. He underscored the importance of expanding economic cooperation beyond political partnership.

The President noted the establishment of the Uzbekistan-United States Business Investment Council, chaired by the Head of the Presidential Administration and the U.S. Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, as a mechanism to facilitate partnerships, joint initiatives, and issue resolution.

Mirziyoyev highlighted Uzbekistan’s unique cooperation mechanism, noting no comparable structure exists with any other country, and expressed confidence in the council’s growing role.

The President outlined Uzbekistan’s economic progress, including growth, new businesses, job creation, and increased youth access to modern education and training, while stressing the need for industrial development, modern infrastructure, and investment bringing new technologies and expertise.

Mirziyoyev reiterated the goal of transforming Uzbekistan into a regional hub for advanced technologies, aligning with President Trump’s initiatives on super-intelligence, and proposed deeper partnerships in data centers and digital solutions across industry, agriculture, education, and public administration.

Emphasizing the potential of Uzbekistan’s nearly 10 million young people, the President urged they not only master advanced technologies but develop and compete in global markets.

In preparation for the council meeting, joint work involving 45 Uzbek ministries and agencies matched each represented company with specific government bodies, regional administrations, and leading Uzbek businesses, resulting in a package of 54 agreements and initiatives worth approximately 12 billion U.S. dollars.

The President proposed developing a comprehensive action plan to put these projects into practice.

Three priorities were identified: first, creating clear and predictable conditions for American investors through a “plug and play” model with ready-to-use sites, infrastructure connections, and all necessary permits; second, developing new industries and industrial-technological growth centers through joint clusters and research centers integrated into global value chains; third, transforming the council into a strategic mechanism for long-term economic partnership through a joint program through 2035 aligning corporate interests with national priorities.

The principal measure of success should be concrete results, including new enterprises, jobs, and greater prosperity for people in both countries.

President Mirziyoyev reaffirmed the value of U.S. confidence in Uzbekistan and expressed hope that meetings would become a valued tradition, yielding positive results that provide ever more reason to convene.

MODERATOR invited U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deliver his remarks.

Secretary Rubio began by reflecting on America’s historical focus on crises and problems, arguing that opportunities—especially in regions like Central Asia—must not be overlooked. He praised the relationship’s acceleration under President Trump, including the White House summit last year and the appointment of Ambassador Sergio Gor as envoy to Central Asia.

Rubio stated that the United States wants to be a partner of the region and country, noting Uzbekistan’s inclusion as an observer at the G20 in the United States later this year as a signal of intent.

He proclaimed that this night is a major step forward, predicting that in years to come, this partnership’s evolution will be traced to this event and the 200-plus business leaders present from the United States.

Rubio quoted the president’s offer to help with real estate, adding a lighthearted note about visitors possibly purchasing condos in Uzbekistan given the expected growth of the partnership.

He thanked President Mirziyoyev for the reforms opening the country to the world and embracing the United States and President Trump as partners, crediting these reforms for creating the enormous opportunity for mutual growth.

Rubio acknowledged the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council and its co-chairs—Ambassador Sergio Gor and Saida Mirziyoyeva—thanking them for their dedication enabling the event.

He referenced the B5+1 group and shared values of independence, sovereignty, and national interest alignment as the foundation for partnership.

Rubio emphasized that when national interests align—what’s good for America is good for Uzbekistan and vice versa—that is the core of the pursued opportunities.

He highlighted Uzbekistan and Central Asia’s historic role as the bridge between East and West in trade and commerce, noting geography remains a powerful opportunity.

Rubio cited 2025 figures: Uzbek airports handled 15.5 million passengers, a 15 percent year-over-year increase, with Tashkent International alone processing nearly 10 million. Cargo volumes reached 98,200 metric tons, up 12 percent.

He attributed this growth to Uzbekistan’s central location, large working-age population, open-minded leadership, abundant natural resources, and potential for technology and infrastructure growth.

Rubio referenced the President’s “third renaissance” embrace of excellence, advanced science and technology, and long-term security and prosperity.

The Secretary noted U.S. partnerships with Uzbekistan in critical mineral supply chain security, modernizing mining and processing with partners like the Colorado School of Mines.

Boeing and GE Aerospace equip Uzbek passenger jets with engines and parts; last year Boeing sold Uzbekistan Airways 22 widebody 787 Dreamliners.

Scientific and technological partnerships include quantum computing via the University of Texas at Dallas and the Samarkand Quantum Center.

U.S. chips and models built for super intelligence support Uzbek digital entrepreneurs in Tashkent’s IP Park, following President Trump’s executive order renaming artificial intelligence to super intelligence.

U.S. small modular reactors are being introduced to modernize the Uzbek electric grid and gas distribution network, keeping pace with growing energy demand.

For the first time, AKFA Group will establish a manufacturing operation in the United States, investing $80 million in Bowling Green, Kentucky, contributing to the American aluminum industry.

Rubio identified numerous other growth areas: energy, robotics, fintech, mining, agriculture, and more, expressing optimism about the future of U.S.-Uzbekistan business relations.

He pledged that the United States is laying the regulatory and commercial foundation upon which Uzbek businesses will power and grow.

Rubio expressed gratitude for the generous hospitality experienced during the trip, noting the people of Uzbekistan and Central Asia made the delegation feel welcomed and confident in the region’s quality.

He concluded that based on conversations over the last day and a half, Uzbekistan and Central Asia are ready to work and grow, and American business leaders in the room are ready and excited to work with the country.

MODERATOR invited Her Excellency Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration and Co-Chair of the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council, to the stage.

Saida Mirziyoyeva, via interpreter, welcomed Mr. President, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Gor, noting the April Washington visit and the reciprocal hospitality.

She warned that Uzbek hospitality has a golden side effect: guests tend to stay longer than planned, and she hopes American business will find the same.

Referring to the April meeting with President Trump, where the instruction was simply “Make it work,” Mirziyoyeva promised a working mechanism, not a committee.

In June, nearly 200 American companies traveled to Tashkent—a record. Four months later, another 100 U.S. companies arrived with the Secretary, continuing the pattern of records that the partnership embraces.

Mirziyoyeva stressed that business moves where rules are clear, doors are open, and someone picks up the phone; the administration strives to be those who pick up the phone.

When business asked, rules were changed, and now trade runs both ways: Uzbek investment creates jobs in America, and U.S. purchases keep American factories busy—essential for an honest partnership where both sides win.

She promised that every company present will have a name to call, and any problem raised will reach the co-chairs personally.

Mirziyoyeva referenced Rubio’s call the Jackson-Vanik amendment a Cold War relic, agreeing it should retire, after which the council would be ready the next morning.

She urged Rubio to bring a project or a problem, as both are welcome, marking the end of mere talk about potential.

MODERATOR invited U.S. President’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and Co-Chair of the Council, His Excellency Sergio Gor, to the stage.

Ambassador Gor thanked President Mirziyoyev for incredible hospitality and personal leadership enabling the visit and the participation of U.S. companies.

He invited a show of hands of those experiencing Uzbekistan for the first time, noting an incredible group of both returning and new individuals.

Gor thanked co-chair Saida Mirziyoyeva for her contributions.

He praised Secretary Rubio for making the trip, underscoring that the United States, the White House, and the administration care about this effort.

Gor acknowledged Jeanette Rubio, the Secretary’s better half, for also joining the trip.

The secret to success, Gor said, is being prepared when opportunity comes; Uzbekistan has been preparing at a pace ahead of many others.

This opportunity arrived when President Trump returned to the White House and appointed Gor to the position, with the President noting that for too long the United States had not paid attention to this region.

Gor highlighted changes under Trump’s leadership: the first historic C5+1 Summit at the White House, the first-ever anticipation of a President’s December G20 attendance, and the results-driven Business Council.

He compared President Trump to the region’s presidents, noting his results-driven pace and desire for success, witnessed firsthand over four trips in the last year.

Gor touched on the council’s focus: infrastructure to connect the region to global markets; critical minerals to tap mineral wealth for mutual benefit; and emerging industries including aerospace and super intelligence for the next era of growth.

He contrasted U.S. partnerships—respecting sovereignty, honoring the rule of law, delivering long-term value—with partners offering opaque loans serving their own interests first.

President Trump has made clear that America First diplomacy means putting commerce at the heart of foreign policy; when American companies succeed abroad, Americans succeed at home, and when other countries prosper through fair deals, they grow stronger and more resilient.

To business leaders, governments can open doors, but it is they who walk through them, sign contracts, hire workers, and turn commitments into factories, farms, and networks.

The administration will cut red tape, remove barriers, and stand behind American companies investing in Uzbekistan.

Gor promised to always take their call and that the entire administration stands behind them.

To Uzbek counterparts, Gor thanked them for ambition and openness, and looked forward to building a new era of partnership, deal by deal and project by project, ensuring people look back on this council as the start of a new partnership era.

Gor concluded by thanking President Mirziyoyev for hosting and wishing success ahead.

MODERATOR invited participants to the ceremonial exchange of documents between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United States of America, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in transportation, the chemical industry, geology, and finance.

(The documents were exchanged.)

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