Head of the Secretariat of Kazakhstan’s NCP Speaks at Mining & Metals Central Asia 2026

The plenary session focused on the topic “Critical Minerals and the Future of Kazakhstan’s Mining and Metallurgical Sector: From Resources to Projects.”

In his presentation entitled “From Resources to Global Value Chains: OECD Standards and the Competitiveness of Critical Minerals Projects,” Alisher Bazarbayev noted that as Kazakhstan becomes more deeply integrated into global value chains, responsible business conduct, supply chain transparency, and systematic management of environmental and social risks are becoming increasingly important.

Particular attention was paid to the OECD’s due diligence approaches. It was noted that due diligence enables companies to identify significant risks in a timely manner, take measures to prevent and mitigate them, and enhance the predictability and reliability of projects for investors and international partners.

In conclusion, it was emphasized that resource potential alone is no longer sufficient to ensure competitiveness. The ability of companies to transform resources into high-quality, transparent and sustainable projects integrated into international value chains is becoming increasingly important.

In this context, OECD standards and due diligence practices can serve as practical tools for improving project quality, strengthening investor confidence, and supporting the development of a competitive mining and metallurgical sector in Kazakhstan.