The MINEX CENTRAL ASIA-2025 forum dedicated to critical minerals has started in the capital of Uzbekistan. The event is held under the motto “The Growing Role of Central Asia in the Sphere of Critical Minerals” and is organized by the Government of Uzbekistan.
The forum is attended by about 200 experts, government officials and businessmen from more than 20 countries.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Mining and Geology of Uzbekistan Omonulla Nasritdinkhodjaev noted that in recent years the country has been taking serious steps to create favorable conditions for investors in this area. In particular, with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a new Law “On Subsoil” was adopted last year.
Nasritdinkhodjaev emphasized that deposits of 28 types of critical minerals have been discovered in Uzbekistan, including copper, lithium, graphite, germanium, tungsten, vanadium, tantalum and niobium. The development of this industry is defined as one of the key areas of the strategy in the field of subsoil use.
According to him, by 2028 it is planned to implement more than 70 projects in this area for a total of $ 1.6 billion, and by this time the annual income of the industry is expected to reach $ 1.5 billion.
Chairman of the Association of Artificial Intelligence of Central Asia, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov said that the rapidly growing global demand for critical minerals opens up new opportunities for the country. He noted that by 2030, the need for these resources may triple.
According to Norov, the increased interest in rare earth and other critical minerals provides Central Asian countries with broad prospects for the development and diversification of their economies.
The head of the European Union delegation to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar, in turn, noted the rich geological base and the rapidly developing mining industry of the country. He emphasized that the EU supports Uzbekistan’s efforts to develop its own mining industry, strengthen the vertical value chain and strengthen the country’s position in global supplies.
The forum will last two days. The event will include sessions on the topics of “Strategic Vision and Regional Cooperation,” “Central Asia’s Growing Role in Ensuring Global Critical Minerals Security,” “Creating a Critical Minerals Ecosystem through Strategic Partnerships and Cooperation,” and “Strengthening Uzbekistan’s Position in Global Critical Resource Supply Chains.”
Participants will also visit the Geological Museum and industrial facilities for processing critical minerals.
