The five states are not a unified bloc, and they differ widely in political systems and economic models, according to analysts.
Still, their combined geography and resources have made Central Asia newly consequential—and in 2025, major capitals acted as if it is a region they can no longer afford to leave to rivals, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Once treated as a geopolitical backwater, the five former Soviet republics drew new attention for practical reasons.
Demand is rising for "critical raw materials"—a policy term for resources considered essential to modern economies and security, including uranium and "rare earth" elements used in electronics, renewable energy systems, and defense technologies.
At the same time, Russia’s war against Ukraine has increased the strategic value of alternative transport corridors linking Europe and Asia, the PAP news agency noted.
The European Union set the tone in April, holding its first-ever EU–Central Asia leaders’ summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The meeting brought together the five Central Asian presidents with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
It ended with both sides upgrading ties to a "strategic partnership," signalling that Brussels is moving beyond development-style engagement toward longer-term geopolitical and economic cooperation.
The EU has framed its priorities around transport links, energy security, and access to key raw materials.
China reinforced its own influence in June at the second China-Central Asia summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, where President Xi Jinping met the region’s leaders.
The gathering culminated in a treaty described by Beijing as one of "eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation," language intended to lock in a long-term relationship.
As with the EU, the political symbolism came with an economic core: investment, infrastructure, and stable access to resources and routes.
The United States raised its profile later in the year by elevating the "C5+1" format—the five Central Asian states plus the United States—to the presidential level.
In early November, US President Donald Trump hosted the five leaders at the White House, underscoring Washington’s growing focus on the region.
Critical minerals featured prominently, with particular attention on uranium and nuclear-fuel supply chains as the United States seeks to reduce reliance on Russia-linked sources.
In December, Japan added to the diplomatic momentum by holding its first summit with the five leaders in Tokyo, chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Tokyo presented the relationship largely through an economic lens, highlighting investment, industry, raw materials, digital development, and education and training programmes.
For Central Asian governments, the rapid-fire diplomacy reflects a long-running strategy of diversification.
Russia remains a major reference point through trade ties, labour migration, and security links.
But 2025 showed how much more crowded the field has become, with Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Tokyo all visibly competing for influence.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP