Central Asia

Central Asia is a landlocked region comprising five former Soviet republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The region spans the vast steppes, deserts and mountain ranges between the Caspian Sea and China, covering an area of approximately four million square kilometres. Central Asia is richly endowed with natural resources, including significant reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, gold, copper and rare earth elements. Kazakhstan is the region's largest economy and a major global producer of uranium, chromium and other strategic minerals. The region's mining sector attracts substantial foreign investment, particularly from China, Russia and international mining companies. Central Asia's resource wealth has driven economic growth since independence in 1991, though the economies remain heavily dependent on commodity exports. The region faces challenges including landlocked geography, infrastructure deficits and the need for economic diversification. Central Asian countries are members of regional bodies such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and maintain close economic ties with Russia, China and Turkey. The region's strategic minerals, particularly those critical to energy transition technologies, position Central Asia as an increasingly important player in global supply chains. Infrastructure projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative are enhancing Central Asia's connectivity to global markets.