Press Release

Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, today chaired a hearing on strengthening U.S. engagement in Central Asia. This is the first House Foreign Affairs hearing focused on the region since July 2018.

“Situated between Afghanistan, China, Iran, and Russia, the five states of Central Asia have long been at the crossroad of civilizations. The region is endowed with energy and mineral resources and has a young and ethnically diverse population,” said Representative Bera. “Given Central Asia’s geostrategic importance and economic potential, as the region grows in importance for the United States and our competitors, so too must our engagement. The United States must work with the Central Asian countries to further the stability, prosperity, and independence of the region.”

Today’s hearing focused on the Biden Administration’s policy towards the region, and ways in which Congress can work with allies and partners to further integrate Central Asian countries into the global system.

Expert witnesses included:

• The Honorable Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. U.S. Department of State;
• Ms. Änjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau of Asia, U.S. Agency for International Development; and
• Mr. David De Falco, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Click here to watch a recording of the hearing.