#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Future Minerals Forum #mineral resources

Global Collaboration on Mineral Resources

On January 14, 2025, Riyadh will host the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) 2025, where over 85 governments from leading mineral-producing and consuming nations are set to come together. This includes 16 countries from the major economies of the G20, alongside a significant number of high-ranking officials, such as 50 ministers and 13 deputy ministers. This event marks a pivotal moment in international collaboration to advance actions regarding mineral resources globally.

A Platform for Sustainable Development

The ministerial roundtable, a key feature of the FMF, serves as a traditional opening for the forum. Primarily led by government initiatives, it aims to stimulate international actions that enhance investments in mineral supply chains while strengthening capabilities across regions, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. This year’s forum is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of mineral resource policymakers from around the globe.

Expectations are high as discussions will revolve around the progress made over the past year concerning three primary initiatives:
1. Development of an international framework for critical minerals
2. Creation of centers of excellence focused on sustainability (Morocco), talent development (South Africa), and technological innovation (Saudi Arabia)
3. Improvements to certification systems for responsible mineral sourcing

His Excellency Khalid Al-Mudaifer, the Saudi Deputy Minister for Mineral Affairs, emphasized that this meeting is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development within the mineral sector on a global scale. It provides an ideal platform for finding solutions and formulating regulations that promote best practices in sustainable mining operations. Additionally, it seeks to drive investments in mining projects to support the economic and social development of producing countries.

Leaders Uniting for Cooperative Solutions

High-level leaders from key mining supplier and donor nations, including Brazil, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Egypt, Italy, Nigeria, Qatar, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Morocco, Indonesia, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, will explore potential global cooperation opportunities.

This year's discussions will particularly emphasize enhancing partnerships between governments, industries, and communities. The focus is to increase investments in minerals while creating added value in producing countries. There’s a pressing need to advocate for sustainable mining practices, resilient supply chains, and value-driven partnerships within the mining sector.

Ongoing Initiatives Beyond the Forum

It's crucial to note that the outputs from the ministerial roundtable will extend beyond just the forum. The initiatives established during these discussions will continue throughout the year as regional coordination groups will lead the implementation processes of these vital projects.

As Al-Mudaifer stated, “The FMF is on its way to becoming the premier global hub for collaboration and action in mineral resource management. No other platform can assemble ministers and top industry officials at such a significant scale.” This underscores the FMF's role in fostering global dialogue and commitment towards sustainable mineral resources management, paving the way for future advancements in this critical sector.

The stakes are high, and the path forward is promising as nations work collectively to ensure a responsible and sustainable mining framework that benefits everyone involved.