Uzbekistan has joined the Artemis Accords, becoming the space-cooperation framework’s 77th signatory. Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov signed after talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Samarkand. The signing accompanied the countries’ first Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue, which covered economic, technological and security cooperation. No specific space mission or launch date was announced.
Uzbekistan signed the Artemis Accords following talks between Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Samarkand on October 19. The country became the framework’s 77th signatory. The accords set principles for international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of space, including the Moon, Mars, comets and asteroids. Saidov linked participation to opportunities for cooperation with foreign space agencies.[1], [2]
The ministers also led the first Uzbekistan–US Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue. Their discussions covered trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, advanced technologies and security. Saidov said the agenda included implementing agreements reached by the countries’ leaders and widening economic and technological cooperation. Rubio identified infrastructure, space and critical minerals among the subjects discussed.[1]
Participation could create opportunities to work with NASA, the US space agency, and other national agencies, train specialists and transfer space technologies, according to the account of the talks. No specific mission or launch date was announced. Rubio also discussed cooperation through C5+1, the diplomatic platform bringing the United States together with five Central Asian countries.[1]
