Kazakhstan has officially ratified a strategic partnership agreement with the United Kingdom, marking a new phase in bilateral cooperation across key sectors including energy, security, and critical minerals.

The move comes after the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2020, which changed the framework of its previous relations with Kazakhstan that were largely governed through EU agreements, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The new agreement prioritizes cooperation in the extraction of critical raw materials, alongside expanded trade, defense collaboration, and joint work in science and technology.

Kazakhstan’s exports to the UK are largely driven by crude oil and rare earth elements, making resource cooperation a central pillar of the partnership.

Bilateral trade stood at $886 million in 2024, down from $1.2 billion in 2023. However, in 2025, trade rebounded sharply to $1.6 billion, signaling renewed momentum in economic ties.

UK Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sally Axworthy said that Kazakhstan holds 27 of 36 critical minerals needed for the UK’s energy transition-highlighting the country’s growing strategic importance.

The agreement opens the door for deeper collaboration in sectors seen as vital for future growth and global energy security, positioning Kazakhstan as a key partner for the UK in Central Asia.