criticalrawmaterials

Central Asia’s Critical Raw Material Dilemma: Resource Powerhouse or Sustainability Risk?

Does the scaling up of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s Critical Raw Material (CRM) production align with the EU’s green and digital transition ambitions? In the vast steppes of Kazakhstan and the mineral-rich mountains of Uzbekistan, a transformation is underway that could also reshape Europe’s green transition. These Central Asian nations, long known for their oil and gas exports, are emerging as potential key suppliers of critical raw materials essential for the European Union’s strategic autonomy goal of diversification, as well as its innovation, digital and environmental ambitions. But can these countries truly align with Europe’s ambitious sustainability goals?

The EU-Kazakhstan Memorandum of Understanding: Effectiveness versus Opportunities

The European Union (EU) and Kazakhstan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 7 November 2022 to establish strategic partnerships specifically focused on sustainable raw materials, batteries, and renewable hydrogen value chains. The MoU, although not binding, has the potential to encourage public and private investment in the exploration, extraction and process of critical raw materials (CRM) in Kazakhstan and to promote the reduction of trade barriers between the parties. As the agreement has entered its first year, understanding the extent to which the commitments have been fulfilled can provide more efficient processes in the future.