The United States and Uzbekistan agree on strategic cooperation in critical minerals pact - Reuters

According to the Reuters news agency, the United States of America and Uzbekistan have signed a strategic agreement to expand cooperation in the field of critical minerals, aimed at developing joint investment and strengthening supply chains for these strategic raw materials.

According to the publication, the parties signed a document titled the “Joint Investment Framework”, which provides for cooperation in the areas of mineral exploration, extraction and processing. Under the agreement, a U.S.-Uzbekistan Joint Investment Holding Company for future minerals and infrastructure project is also planned to be established to support the implementation of future projects.

As noted by Reuters, a central role in implementing the initiative will be played by the U.S. government financial institution - the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - which is responsible for promoting investment projects abroad.

The agency emphasizes that the agreement is viewed within a broader international context of diversifying supplies of strategically important resources. The article notes that the initiative is aimed at “countering China’s dominant position in global supply chains”.

According to Reuters, the agreement forms part of U.S. efforts to strengthen engagement with Central Asian countries. The signing followed a meeting of the U.S. President with regional leaders, as well as a separate summit focused on critical minerals, attended by several nations.

The publication also notes that Uzbekistan possesses substantial natural resource reserves, including gold, uranium, copper, lithium and tungsten - minerals that are critical for high‑technology industries and the global energy transition.

Reuters links the growing interest of international partners in Uzbekistan to the economic reforms carried out in the country since 2016 under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.