BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Kazakhstan's Astana
hosted the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue, which brought together
Central Asian countries and the United States to discuss
cooperation in the exploration, extraction, and processing of
strategic raw materials, according to a statement from the Ministry
of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan.


The meeting was held under the co-chairmanship of Kazakhstan’s
Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev and the
U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, ahead of
the 16th International "Astana Mining & Metallurgy" Congress.


The event brought together government representatives from
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the United
States. Participants focused on strengthening cooperation in
critical minerals development, including geological exploration,
production, processing, and integration into global supply
chains.


“Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev places special
emphasis on the C5+1 platform as a new format of engagement between
Central Asia and the United States. The C5+1 Critical Minerals
Dialogue is aimed at deepening cooperation in ensuring sustainable
access to strategic raw materials, developing technological
partnerships, and building reliable global supply chains. In the
context of growing global demand for critical minerals, these areas
are becoming increasingly important,” Nagaspayev said.


He noted that Kazakhstan’s critical minerals sector is a key
priority of its industrial policy and long-term economic
development strategy, with more than 9,500 deposits, including over
100 containing rare and rare-earth metals.







Nagaspayev added that digitalization reforms and the adoption of
international standards have significantly increased investment
inflows, attracting global companies such as Rio Tinto, Barrick
Gold, First Quantum, Ivanhoe, Teck, Fortescue, Cove Capital, and
others.


The participants identified priority areas for long-term
cooperation under the C5+1 framework, including the development of
high-tech processing industries, industrial clusters, technology
transfer, workforce training, and scientific cooperation, with
particular attention to logistics and supply chain resilience.


The sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding multilateral
cooperation and advancing joint industrial and infrastructure
projects.