It will explore the environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with critical minerals supply chains, including the opportunities and priorities for resource rich developing countries in relation to economic diversification and value addition. Finally, the session will explore specific opportunities, policy options, and pathways for enhanced trade cooperation on critical minerals in support of net zero goals, while recognizing the complexity of navigating security, development, sustainability, and circular economy priorities.

The dialogue will take place in a “brainstorming mode” and will provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions on key topics for attention, including on how international cooperation on trade and trade policies can:

(i) Foster resilient international and regional supply chains to drive the clean energy transition and support net zero goals.

(ii) Promote value addition, economic diversification, technology transfer, and green industrialization in resource-rich developing countries.

(iii) Ensure environmental sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility in critical minerals extraction, processing, and use.

(iv) Support circular economy collaborations among and within producing and consuming countries.

(v) Navigate the complexity of intersecting security, development, sustainability, and circular economy priorities with respect to critical minerals and the energy transition.

(vi) Incentivize investments, financing for infrastructure, technologies, and innovation vital for sustainability and equity in the critical minerals sector.