The U.S. Department of State inaugurated the first meeting of the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue (CMD), marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation on critical mineral supply chains. This initiative, announced by President Biden and the presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan during the C5+1 Presidential Summit in New York on September 19, 2023, aims to enhance the region's participation in global critical minerals supply chains, U.S. Department of State reported.
The meeting, chaired by Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez, followed the conclusion of the largest mining conference in Africa, Mining Indaba. Fernandez leveraged this platform to advocate for cooperation in securing and strengthening critical mineral supply chains. The discussion centered on defining the goals and objectives of the CMD, which seeks to not only increase the region's involvement in global critical minerals supply chains but also to strengthen economic cooperation and advance the clean energy transition while safeguarding Central Asia's unique ecosystems.
The event was moderated by Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt, with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pommersheim and other U.S. government officials working on critical minerals in attendance. Senior officials from each Central Asian government expressed their keen interest in developing investment opportunities in critical minerals, prioritizing adherence to the highest environmental, social standards, and governance.
In the spirit of collaboration, each participating country highlighted the mutual benefits of working together to achieve shared critical minerals objectives. These objectives include diversification of markets and the development of technologies in a manner that benefits all citizens. Notable initiatives discussed during the meeting included the Minerals Security Partnership and Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, emphasizing opportunities for cooperation and investment.
Looking ahead, the United States welcomed input from the C5 countries as they prepare for the upcoming mining and exploration convention, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), in Toronto, Canada. This collaborative effort aims to promote new partnership and investment opportunities, with ongoing dialogue facilitated through national coordinators within the C5+1 framework.
Earlier Daryo reported that USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Central Asian ministers, representing Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, convened in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The gathering was held within the framework of the C5+1 regional diplomatic platform, with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation in Central Asia.
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