South Korea and Uzbekistan deepen their strategic partnership by expanding cooperation in critical minerals, AI, infrastructure and advanced industries, while signing 13 agreements covering technology, healthcare, agriculture, climate action and defence.
South Korea and Uzbekistan are strengthening their strategic partnership by expanding cooperation in critical mineral supply chains, artificial intelligence, digital technologies and other emerging industries. The agreement comes as Seoul seeks closer economic engagement with resource-rich Central Asian countries and greater diversification of strategic supply chains.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hold a summit in Seoul, where they discuss ways to broaden bilateral cooperation across infrastructure, healthcare, climate action, critical minerals, AI, digital technology and defence. Lee describes Uzbekistan as South Korea’s only special strategic partner in Central Asia and emphasises the importance of developing the relationship further.
Also read: PM Modi, Philippines President Discuss Stronger India-ASEAN Ties
Critical minerals emerge as a key area of cooperation as South Korea seeks secure and diversified supplies for advanced manufacturing and future industries. The two countries aim to connect Uzbekistan’s mineral and energy resources with South Korea’s expertise in exploration, processing and advanced manufacturing. The initiative is expected to create opportunities for investment, technology transfer and industrial development.
The partnership also expands into AI and digital industries. Seoul and Tashkent agree to promote AI-driven innovation in manufacturing through technological cooperation, knowledge sharing, workforce training and infrastructure development. Both sides also identify strategic opportunities involving AI and data centres, smart cities, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and industrial facilities for Korean companies.
During the summit, South Korea and Uzbekistan sign 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding covering infrastructure, biotechnology, climate action, education, agriculture and defence. One agreement provides for feasibility studies on Uzbekistan’s potential acquisition of eight high-speed train sets, while another supports the establishment of a national genome and biobank facility known as the Biome Center.
The two countries also establish a framework to identify and finance projects across six strategic sectors: critical minerals, AI and data centres, smart cities, Korean industrial complexes, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and food, beauty and cultural content. This mechanism is designed to facilitate investment and support the expansion of Korean businesses in Uzbekistan.
Climate cooperation forms another component of the partnership. A separate agreement focuses on digital forest restoration and climate action using satellite and information technologies for forest management, biodiversity conservation and restoration of disaster-affected areas. The initiative also addresses environmental challenges in Central Asia, including the effects of Aral Sea desertification.
Also read: Why Transformer Fluids are Becoming Critical Grid Assets
More than 700 Korean companies currently operate in Uzbekistan through joint ventures, while Korean investment in the country continues to expand. The latest agreements therefore strengthen the foundation for deeper economic and technological engagement.
The cooperation also gains wider significance ahead of South Korea’s first summit with all five Central Asian nations. By linking Central Asia’s resources with Korean technology and industrial capabilities, Seoul and Tashkent seek to create new drivers of economic growth and strengthen their long-term strategic partnership.