Insights into the region’s strategic role the in integration from mining to processing and distribution and the future of technological metals in the energy transition. 

This session will open with a high-level discussion on the strategic vision of Central Asia’s governments for the future of mining and critical raw materials. With shared geological potential across the Central Asian Altaids mineral belt, the region is uniquely positioned to become a global hub for sustainable and secure supply chains — but this will require coordinated policy, investment, and infrastructure strategies. Government representatives will outline their national priorities and regional ambitions, highlighting opportunities for policy alignment, joint ventures, and technical cooperation. The session will also feature insights from key international partners, who will share perspectives on fostering cross-border investment, development collaboration, and long-term partnership in the mining and raw materials sectors. 

A transparent and stable regulatory environment is essential for attracting long-term investment in the critical minerals sector. In Central Asia, and particularly in Uzbekistan, recent reforms to mining legislation mark an important step toward creating clearer rules of engagement. However, continued improvements in permitting, legal predictability, and ESG governance are still needed to meet global investor expectations. This session will explore how governments and institutions can reduce investment risk by aligning regulatory frameworks with international standards, strengthening institutional capacity, and building investor confidence through open, consistent, and reliable processes. Case studies from other regions will provide a roadmap for advancing regulatory best practices across the region. 

As global supply chains for critical minerals continue to shift, end-users — from EV manufacturers to energy storage companies — are driving new expectations around sourcing, ESG standards, and supply stability. Central Asia is well-positioned to respond but must go beyond resource ownership to become a reliable, investment-ready partner to the world’s most demanding buyers. This session will explore what offtakers and global manufacturers are looking for, and how the region can align its project development, certification practices, and midstream strategies to meet evolving market needs. Discussions will also touch on emerging buyer-supplier models, long-term agreements, and the role of international partnerships in anchoring Central Asia into clean energy supply chains. 

Central Asia sits at the crossroads of environmental recovery and resource opportunity. The region has faced the lasting effects of unsustainable industrial practices — from the collapse of the Aral Sea to widespread mining-related degradation. Today, however, it also holds the keys to a cleaner future: abundant renewable energy, critical mineral deposits, and growing political will. This session will examine how Central Asia can transition toward globally responsible mining practices by addressing past legacies while embracing low-carbon technologies, ESG standards, introducing best-in-class water and waste management and circular economy models. Speakers will explore practical solutions for remediation, stakeholder engagement, and aligning project development with both investor expectations and community well-being. 

During this session, participants will explore the main prospects and challenges in developing mineral and raw-material resources in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Industry experts will present the latest geological exploration projects, innovative extraction and processing technologies, and strategies to enhance both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. Attention will be paid to regional cooperation, financing of infrastructure initiatives, and the creation of local added value chains. The session aims to formulate actionable recommendations for government bodies, investors, and the scientific community, in line with the global shift toward a “green” industrial paradigm.

Focusing on the region’s potential as a hub for critical raw materials, this session will highlight case studies such as UzTMK’s expansion plans in Uzbekistan. The initiative aims to stimulate a home-grown industrial base, in which minerals mined in Uzbekistan are used to manufacture cars, electronics and high-tech items at plants located in the country. The plan also opens the door for new trade and investment opportunities in Technological Advancements in Critical Minerals Processing.  

Uranium is a crucial mineral for energy and national security—it fuels the nuclear energy that underpins today’s economy and is key to propelling future growth to meet the surge in energy demand from artificial intelligence and urban developments. Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, hold a strategic position in global uranium mining. The session will examine the strategies and plans the Central Asian countries are proposing for deepening their economic partnership, forging new trade agreements and collaborations that could reshape the energy landscape of Central Asia.  

Explore Uzbekistan’s emerging leadership in critical minerals research, training, and institutional capacity-building. Anchored by the creation of the Higher School of Technological Metals at TMK, it will bring together international academic partners to discuss new models of collaboration that prioritize both scientific innovation and workforce sustainability.

Key discussion points:

• Building durable international research partnerships
• Creating academic pipelines that feed national talent development
• Strategies for employee retention and long-term skills alignment
• Facilitating technology transfer from academic discovery to industrial application
• The institutional role of TMK in advancing applied research and scientific leadership in Central Asia