Central Asian FMs, U.S. state secretary intend to develop cooperation on digitalization, AI

ASHGABAT. Oct 20 (Interfax) - The foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed cooperation in the area of digitalization and artificial intelligence at a meeting in the C5+1 format in Uzbekistan's Samarkand, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement available on its website.

"Particular attention was devoted to prospects for cooperation in digitalization and artificial intelligence, the introduction of innovative technologies, and the development of digital infrastructure," it said.

The meeting participants underscored the importance of expanding exchanges of experience and best practices, as well as attracting investment and technological solutions for joint projects in information technology, cybersecurity, the automation of production processes and the training of qualified personnel, it said.

The parties noted the importance of harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence to stimulate economic growth, improve the efficiency of public administration and expand regional cooperation, it said.

They attached special significance to prospects for cooperation in the energy sector, the extraction and processing of natural resources, the development of value chains, and the expansion of opportunities to export finished products to international markets, it said.

They also expressed their interest in sharing expertise and advanced technologies making the economies of the regional countries more competitive, it said.

The C5+1 format is a diplomatic platform set up in September 2015 to promote dialogue and cooperation between the five Central Asian countries, i.e. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and the United States.