Uzbekistan Signs Space Accords as Rubio Opens Samarkand Talks
Uzbekistan has officially joined the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, a framework for peaceful space exploration, during a visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen economic and strategic ties between the U.S. and Central Asian nations.
Why it matters
This signals a deepening geopolitical alignment between the U.S. and Central Asia, focusing on space cooperation, critical minerals, and regional security.
19 Oct 2026 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov; image: TCA, Aleksandr Potolitsyn
Uzbekistan joined the U.S.-led Artemis Accords on October 19 as Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks in Samarkand. The signing accompanied the first Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue between the two countries, with critical minerals among the priorities.
Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov announced the signing after bilateral talks with Rubio. He said Uzbekistan had become the 77th country to join the framework for peaceful space exploration.
Saidov said accession would support closer cooperation with NASA and other participating space agencies. He identified training for Uzbek specialists and access to space technologies as potential benefits.
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