Marco Rubio’s Visit: What Did Uzbekistan and the U.S. Agree On?

On October 19, 2026, during U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Samarkand, Uzbekistan and the United States reached an agreement to expand cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, space, energy, and security.
Following a meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and negotiations between officials from both nations, 54 agreements and prospective initiatives—with a total value of $12 billion—were announced in the realm of economic cooperation.

Key Agreements:

▪️ Aviation: A partnership with GE Aerospace for the supply of aircraft engines to Uzbek airlines.

▪️ Railway Transport: Localization of the production of railway equipment and spare parts in Uzbekistan, in collaboration with Wabtec.

▪️ Critical Minerals: Development of mineral resource extraction, processing, and supply chains in partnership with ReElement Technologies, Traxys, and Trafigura.

▪️ Finance and Investment: Cooperation with Franklin Templeton, Oppenheimer & Co., Citigroup, and BlackRock focused on accessing international capital markets and attracting investors.

▪️ Satellite Communications: Development of satellite-based internet services in collaboration with Amazon Leo. ▪️ Healthcare: Collaboration with GE HealthCare in the field of medical technologies.

▪️ Agriculture: Partnership with Valmont Industries focused on modern irrigation technologies and enhancing agricultural productivity.

▪️ Space: Uzbekistan has joined the "Artemis Accords," becoming the 77th signatory. This facilitates the expansion of international cooperation in space exploration and technology.

Furthermore, discussions covered the energy sector—including the potential use of U.S. civil nuclear technologies—as well as artificial intelligence, digitalization, and the establishment of data processing centers. Also addressed were strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and illegal migration, alongside the development of ties in trade, investment, education, technology, and humanitarian affairs. The inaugural meeting of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue between the two nations was also held.