A Strategic Assessment of Promise vs. Reality in Central Asia’s Mineral Development

Central Asia is entering a pivotal moment in its mineral future. The 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington signalled a shift in how the region is perceived — not as a geopolitical buffer, but as a strategic partner in global supply chains. The U.S. has outlined an ambitious framework to support market stability, build midstream capacity, and expand autonomous connectivity routes. Yet the real opportunity lies in Central Asia’s ability to act decisively, convert political attention into operational progress, and shape its own path toward mineral sovereignty.