In recent years, the OECD has developed a substantial body of work on critical minerals within the framework of the OECD Initiative on Critical Minerals for Sustainable Growth and Development to promote secure, transparent, and inclusive mineral supply chains. This work integrates the OECD's expertise across trade, investment, ESG standards, development policy, and sustainability frameworks to strengthen supply chain resilience while supporting countries involved in mineral production and processing. It responds to the growing global demand for Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), which has brought renewed attention to regions with significant resource endowments. In this context, developments in and beyond Central Asia have highlighted the strategic importance of the region and the need for comprehensive mining sector strategies that support sustainable and responsible growth.
Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan have emerged as countries of particular relevance in this evolving landscape. In 2025, with support from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in the context of the UK cross-government Integrated Security Fund, the OECD launched a high‑level policy dialogue on Critical Raw Materials with Central Asian countries, complemented by in‑depth technical workshops focused on strengthening the framework conditions for CRMs development in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan.
The OECD conducted country‑specific workshops in all three countries, supported by consultations with relevant ministries and a dedicated ministerial session held during OECD Eurasia Week in February 2026. Throughout the project, analysis focused on three key policy areas: Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), environmental risk management and tax policy, while also integrating women’s empowerment issues relevant to the mining sector. The work drew on the OECD’s existing expertise in these fields, as well as on evidence collected through research and country‑level engagement.
This report provides a regional overview of the mining sector in Central Asia and sets out OECD findings and actionable recommendations on environmental risk management, Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), and tax policy in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. The report is intended to support policy makers, business leaders and development partners seeking to foster a sustainable, responsible and competitive CRMs sector in the region.