The U.S. is deepening engagement with Central Asia on critical minerals as global competition for strategic resources intensifies. The issue dominated talks in Astana between Washington and the five Central Asian states.
The issue was discussed during the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue in Astana, where representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the U.S. explored opportunities for closer cooperation in geological exploration, extraction, processing and the supply of strategically important raw materials to international markets.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Kazakhstan's Minister of Industry and Construction, Yersayin Nagaspayev, and the U.S. Presidential Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor. Held ahead of the 16th International Mining and Metallurgical Congress, Astana Mining & Metallurgy (AMM-2026), the meeting highlighted growing international interest in Central Asia's mineral wealth as governments seek more reliable and diversified supply chains.
Participants focused on strengthening cooperation across the entire value chain, from geological exploration and mining to processing and exports. The discussions reflect wider global efforts to secure access to minerals increasingly regarded as essential for industrial production, energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. In this context, Central Asia's reserves are acquiring greater geopolitical and economic importance.
Kazakhstan, which hosted the talks, positioned itself as a leading regional player in the sector. According to the Ministry of Industry and Construction, the country's resource base includes more than 9,500 deposits, with over 100 containing rare and rare earth metals. Over the past seven years, Kazakhstan has invested more than $820 million in geological exploration, expanding opportunities for the development of strategically important resources.
Speaking during the dialogue, Nagaspayev said Kazakhstan views critical minerals as a priority of its industrial policy and long-term economic development strategy. He outlined an approach aimed at moving beyond raw material extraction towards a full production cycle encompassing exploration, mining, processing and manufacturing.
As part of cooperation with the U.S., Kazakhstan proposed the joint implementation of projects focused on critical minerals, including the development of processing facilities, high-technology industries and industrial clusters. Particular attention, according to Nagaspayev, would be given to joint research and engineering centres, alongside training programmes for engineering and technical specialists.
The economic discussions in Astana took place alongside high-level political engagement. During a meeting with Sergio Gor, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to strengthening its expanded strategic partnership with the U.S. and conveyed his respect to U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the presidential administration, Akorda.
Gor, in turn, highlighted growing ties between Washington and the countries of Central Asia, stating that agreements and deals worth more than $20 billion had been reached over the past year. He added that the current pace of engagement represented only the beginning of broader regional co-operation and welcomed Tokayev's participation in the G20 Summit later this year.
Established in 2015, the C5+1 format serves as a multilateral platform for engagement between the U.S. and the five Central Asian states, focusing on economic development, regional cooperation and security.
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