Turkey and Uzbekistan Forge Deeper Mining Ties with Critical Minerals Agreement

Historic Agreement Signed in Ankara

Turkey and Uzbekistan have formalized a significant step in their economic relations by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the mining sector. The agreement, which specifically targets critical minerals and rare earth elements, was inked on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Ankara, Turkey.

The signing ceremony took place during a high-level presidential summit, where Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The two leaders co-chaired the Fourth Meeting of the Türkiye-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, underscoring the strategic importance of this bilateral engagement.

Key Signatories and Objectives

The MoU was signed by Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, and Uzbekistan's Minister of Mining Industry and Geology, Bobir Islamov. Minister Bayraktar announced the signing on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, outlining the core objectives of the agreement.

The cooperation aims to achieve several key goals:

• Promote information sharing between the two nations.
• Foster research and development initiatives in the mining sector.
• Facilitate the implementation of concrete projects related to critical minerals and rare earth elements.

Minister Bayraktar expressed confidence that this deal represents 'an important step toward achieving the trade volume target set by our leaders,' highlighting its role in the broader economic ambitions shared by the two Turkic states.

Uzbekistan's Mineral Wealth and Strategic Vision

Uzbekistan possesses substantial reserves of critical minerals, including copper, molybdenum, gold, tungsten, lithium, titanium, and vanadium. The country has been actively pursuing a strategy to develop its mining sector and attract international investment. In 2025, Uzbekistan initiated a $2.6 billion national program designed to develop 76 critical mineral projects across 28 elements over three years.

This national initiative emphasizes not only extraction but also the expansion of the value chain through 'raw materials – processing – science and technology – finished products.' The collaboration with Turkey is expected to contribute to these efforts, leveraging Turkey's expertise and investment potential in the sector.

Broader Bilateral Cooperation

The mining cooperation MoU was one of several agreements concluded during the presidential summit, which covered a diverse range of fields. These included health, education, culture, transport corridors, energy, higher education, free and special economic zones, and economic and financial affairs. This comprehensive package of agreements underscores the multidimensional nature of the partnership between Ankara and Tashkent, spanning diplomacy, security, trade, and cultural exchange.