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  5. 13th Conference on Critical Materials and Minerals Held

13th Conference on Critical Materials and Minerals Held

June 23, 2022

The 13th Conference on Critical Materials and Minerals (an intergovernmental conference) was held online on June 22.
In the conference, policy makers from Japan, the US, the EU, Australia, and Canada exchanged information on their policies governing critical materials, research and development (R&D), future challenges and other issues. They also confirmed that their respective countries and regions will continue to advance collaborative efforts toward securing a stable supply of critical materials.

1. Background

The Conference on Critical Materials and Minerals commenced in 2011 in response to circumstances such as the soaring prices for some critical materials, especially rare earth elements, seen since 2010. It has been held regularly, with one particular aim being to exchange information on policies governing critical materials, R&D, and other efforts, under a framework of multilateral cooperation between Japan, the US, the EU, Australia, and Canada.

2. Summary of the outcomes

  1. On this occasion, the EU chaired five sessions on critical materials in which the policy makers from Japan, the US, Australia, Canada, and the EU discussed and exchanged views on matters such as their countries' policies and support efforts.
  2. Through the conference, the participants reaffirmed the importance of making the supply chains for critical materials more resilient and confirmed that they will continue to promote collaborative efforts between their respective countries and regions.
  3. The next conference will be held in Belgium around the fall of this year (2022).

Division in Charge

Metal Industry Technology Office, Metal Industries Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau

Mineral and Natural Resources Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy