Uzbekistan and the US have taken a step toward deeper strategic cooperation after signing an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding focused on collaboration in the extraction and processing of rare earth and critical minerals.

"Together with @DeputySecState H.E. Christopher Landau we signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Uzbekistan and the United States of America for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths. We view critical minerals not only as an economic opportunity, but also as an area for responsible partnership and long-term development," The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov's message on X.

Together with @DeputySecState H.E. Christopher Landau we signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Uzbekistan and the United States of America for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths.

We view critical… pic.twitter.com/1Ij3usr13o

— Bakhtiyor Saidov 🇺🇿 (@FM_Saidov) February 5, 2026

The United States is seeking to deepen bilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan in combating illegal migration while also strengthening engagement within the C5+1 diplomatic framework, which brings together Washington and the five Central Asian states-Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The sides also stressed the importance of the timely and full implementation of agreements reached at the highest level, underscoring a shared commitment to translating political dialogue into concrete, practical results across regional and bilateral agendas.