Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

On February 4, a delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov visited Washington, D.C., United States of America. The purpose of the visit was to further develop bilateral and multilateral relations, deepen political dialogue, and discuss priority areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The delegation participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial, a timely and substantive platform bringing together partners to discuss the future of sustainable, secure, and resilient critical minerals supply chains.

Uzbekistan possesses significant potential in this sector and is committed to developing its critical minerals industry in line with the highest international standards — transparency, environmental responsibility, and value-added production.

The delegation reaffirmed readiness to deepen cooperation with international partners, attract advanced technologies and investments, and contribute to global efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience and support the clean energy transition.

A comprehensive exchange was held with the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions addressed both the bilateral agenda and pressing global issues. The recently established Board of Peace was highlighted as an effective platform to promote stability and prosperity in conflict-affected regions, offering renewed hope to millions of people for a safer and dignified future. Shared commitment was reaffirmed to continue cooperation in addressing common challenges, strengthening international security, and advancing sustainable development.

A productive meeting was held with the United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. Discussions focused on ensuring timely and effective implementation of all agreements reached at the highest level, as well as advancing new promising projects. The delegation also exchanged views on the bilateral agenda for 2026, reaffirming shared commitment to further strengthen the enhanced strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the United States.

Foreign Minister and Deputy Secretary signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Uzbekistan and the United States of America on securing supply in the mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths. Critical minerals are regarded not only as an economic opportunity, but also as a strategic area for responsible partnership and long-term development.

The Ministerial provided a valuable opportunity to meet with colleagues and engage in substantive discussions. In-depth deliberations were held on pressing and timely issues, with perspectives exchanged on key bilateral, regional, and global topics of mutual interest.

Exchanges of views were held with Foreign Ministers of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid AlZayani, India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar; Israel Gideon Sa’ar; Italy Antonio Tajani, Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev, Malaysia Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Mongolia Batmunkh Battsetseg, Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi, Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan.

These interactions highlighted the importance of open dialogue and multilateral engagement in addressing shared challenges and advancing common priorities. The discussions were constructive and forward-looking, contributing to deeper mutual understanding and closer coordination among participating partners.

The delegation expressed gratitude to Marco Rubio and the United States Department of State for the excellent organization of the event and for creating an effective platform for meaningful dialogue and cooperation.

Productive talks were held with the United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and the President and Chairman of the United States Export-Import Bank John Jovanovic. Discussions covered key priorities of the bilateral trade and economic agenda, including expanding market access, strengthening investment cooperation, and supporting joint projects in priority sectors. Particular attention was given to practical mechanisms for facilitating trade and promoting sustainable economic growth.