BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 16. Kazakhstan's
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed strengthening
cooperation with South Korea in critical materials.


This was announced in a statement issued by the press office of
the Kazakh President, citing Tokayev’s remarks at the first
“Central Asia–Republic of Korea” summit in Seoul.


According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan has a significant resource base
and is among the world's leaders in rare earth metal reserves. He
noted that all 10 minerals classified by South Korea as strategic
are represented in Kazakhstan's mineral resource base.


Tokayev said the combination of Kazakhstan's resource potential
and South Korea's technological capabilities creates broad
prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.


He welcomed an agreement reached during the current visit to
establish a joint Center for Research into Rare and Rare Earth
Metals in Almaty with the participation of the Korea Institute for
Advancement of Technology.


"Our goal should be to build a complete production cycle - from
research and extraction of critical raw materials to deep
processing and the production of high-value-added products. In
particular, this includes the production of semiconductors,
microelectronics, batteries, components for electric vehicles and
robotics. To implement this task in practice, we propose
establishing a joint Kazakh-Korean company," Tokayev said.







Separately, Tokayev addressed water security and the
preservation of ecological balance in the region.


He said Kazakhstan is carrying out large-scale modernization of
its water infrastructure. By 2030, the country plans to build 42
new reservoirs, modernize 14,500 kilometers of irrigation canals
and significantly expand the use of water-saving technologies.


Tokayev noted that climate change, water shortages and the
degradation of natural ecosystems are already affecting the
socio-economic development of Central Asia.


"Kazakhstan highly values Korea's readiness to share its
advanced technologies and practical experience in this important
and sensitive area for us. In particular, I see great prospects in
launching a joint program to introduce Korean water-saving
technologies, digital water accounting and modern water-saving
infrastructure," the President said.