Uzbekistan Signs Critical Minerals MOU with United States
Foreign Minister Saidov met Secretary Rubio in Washington to formalize partnership on rare earths and uranium supply chains.
In a significant diplomatic development, Uzbekistan and the United States signed a bilateral critical minerals framework during the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington D.C.
Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 5th to formalize the agreement, which covers cooperation on rare earth elements, uranium, gold, copper, and tungsten.
Strategic Importance
"We view critical minerals not only as an economic opportunity but also as a field for responsible partnership and long-term sustainable development," Saidov stated following the signing ceremony.
Uzbekistan holds significant reserves of critical minerals that are essential for clean energy technologies, defense applications, and advanced manufacturing. The agreement positions Tashkent as a potential alternative supplier as Washington seeks to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains.
Broader Context
The MOU was one of eleven bilateral frameworks signed during the ministerial, which brought together 54 nations. Other signatories included Argentina, Ecuador, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.
For Uzbekistan, the agreement represents a continuation of President Mirziyoyev's strategy to diversify economic partnerships while maintaining balanced relations with Russia and China.
What's Next
Implementation details are expected to be finalized in the coming months, with potential U.S. investment in Uzbekistan's mining sector and technical cooperation on processing facilities.