The first meeting of the Critical Minerals Dialogue (CMD) in the C5+1 format took place at the U.S. Department of State, according to a press release published last Friday, business.com.tm reports.
The initiative was announced by U.S. President Biden and the leaders of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan during the C5+1 Presidential Summit in New York on September 19, 2023. The main goal of CMD is to expand the region's participation in global supply chains of critical minerals.
Chaired by the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jose V. Fernandez, the meeting primarily focused on defining the objectives of the CMD. These goals include expanding the region's involvement in critical mineral supply chains, promoting economic cooperation, transitioning to clean energy, and protecting the ecosystems of Central Asia.
Assistant Secretary Piyatt moderated the event, attended by other U.S. government representatives dealing with critical minerals. High-ranking officials from each Central Asian government expressed their interest in developing investment opportunities in critical minerals while adhering to high environmental and social standards.
In a spirit of collaboration, each participating country emphasized the mutual benefits of working together to achieve common goals in the field of critical minerals. These goals include diversifying markets and developing technologies that benefit all citizens. Initiatives discussed during the meeting include the Mineral Resource Security Partnership and the Global Infrastructure and Investment Partnership, highlighting opportunities for cooperation and investment.
The United States welcomed the contributions of the C5 countries to the preparation for the upcoming Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto, Canada. These joint efforts aim to develop new partnership and investment opportunities, with ongoing dialogue facilitated through national coordinators within the C5+1 framework.
Established in 2015, the C5+1 format serves as a multilateral mechanism for interaction between Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States. The dialogue focuses on economic development, regional cooperation, and security.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 12, 2024