U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday (Nov 5) that he plans to visit all five Central Asian nations next year. His remarks came during a meeting with the foreign ministers of these countries, as part of a Trump administration effort to strengthen ties with the resource-rich region. The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday to discuss topics expected to include rare earth minerals and other natural resources.

Speaking at a State Department reception, Rubio emphasized that U.S. and Central Asian interests align in promoting responsible resource development and economic diversification. “You’re looking to use the resources that God has blessed your nations with to foster responsible development and diversify your economies,” Rubio said. He added that he plans to personally visit all five nations in the coming year, likely for a week-long trip.

The five predominantly Muslim nations of Central Asia are rich in minerals and energy resources, and while they maintain strong economic ties with Russia— their former Soviet ruler—China has also established significant commercial influence in the region. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau noted that President Trump personally invited the five leaders to Washington to expand U.S. engagement with the area. Landau and Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India and Trump’s special envoy to Central Asia, recently visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to prepare agreements expected to be announced during the leaders’ summit.

“The business opportunities are tremendous—there are many ways to form partnerships there,” Landau said. Senator James Risch, another Republican speaker at the event, stated that he plans to introduce legislation in Congress this week to repeal the Cold War–era Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions, which limit U.S. trade with non-market economies.