Bishkek, February 5 | ORIENT. The two-day business and diplomatic marathon in Bishkek concluded with the emergence of new trends on the Central Asian agenda. Against the backdrop of Washington's implementation of the region's "investment unity" strategy, Turkmenistan is holding direct talks with tech giants.

On the sidelines of the forum, head of the Turkmen government delegation, Minister of Finance and Economy Mammetguly Astanagulov, met with Rebecca Hunter, Director of Global Licensing at Starlink (SpaceX). "During the talks, prospects for cooperation in digital technologies, telecommunications, and the implementation of modern satellite communications solutions were discussed, and mutual interest in further developing long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation was confirmed," the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Turkmen delegation also used the B5+1 platform to promote its WTO roadmap. At a roundtable discussion with American businesses, economic diversification and private sector support were discussed. For Ashgabat, the B5+1 format is a way to attract investment while maintaining sovereignty and a balance of interests.

US Special Envoy Sergio Gore clarified Washington's new strategy. According to him, the era of "formal paperwork" is giving way to an era of private enterprise. Gore also supported the "Peace and Prosperity Transport Corridor" project, which will connect Central Asia to global markets via the South Caucasus.

Experts note that the B5+1 format has become a tool for "transactional diplomacy." This is no longer just talk of friendship, but a clear focus on three areas: critical minerals (the US is seeking access to the region's resources), supply chains, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce.

The Bishkek forum demonstrated that the region is ready to play by the rules of the global market. While the 21 recommendations of the 2024 Almaty Forum were "homework," the 2026 negotiations mark a transition to a new stage, toward technically sound projects backed by the interest of major American corporations.