Global cooperation on critical raw materials

The Mineral Security Partnership Forum (MSP Forum) joins international partners in the area of critical raw materials together with the Critical Raw Materials Club.

On 5 April 2024, the EU and the US presented the MSP Forum, which aims to improve cooperation on critical raw materials (CRM Critical Raw Materials). The focus is on the critical raw materials that are important to them and are essential for the global green and digital transition. Other countries have already joined this forum, including Kazakhstan, Namibia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The EU is represented in the forum by the European Commission’s “Critical Raw Materials Club”. The main objective for the EU is to secure the resources that are important to it in the midst of rapidly increasing global demand. With the help of the forum, the efforts of the individual countries are to be coordinated in order to tackle this problem together.

Enhancing Sustainability: MSP Forum’s Dual Approach led by EU and US

The MSP Forum will work through two main channels: a dedicated project group and a joint policy dialogue. This independent project group will support sustainable projects in the field of critical minerals. The policy dialogue, in turn, is intended to promote sustainable production, regulatory cooperation and ESG standards in CRM supply chains.

Other countries can join the MSP Forum at any time, provided they commit to the key MSP principles. These include the diversification of global supply chains, high environmental standards, good governance and fair labour conditions. The forum is co-chaired by the EU and the USA, which is also intended to emphasise the solid transatlantic cooperation.

Background: CRM Act and ecological transitions necessitate the development of sustainable supply chains

The MSP Forum builds on the foundation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Package (see an earlier Insight on the EU Critical Raw Materials Act here). As such, it emphasises the need for diversified and sustainable CRM supply chains through international collaborations such as the CRM Club. On the one hand, it recognises the central role of CRM in critical sectors such as the net zero industry, digital technology, space and defence. On the other hand, the increasing geopolitical, environmental and social challenges for their supply are also emphasised. For example, the EU’s lithium demand for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage is expected to skyrocket by 2030. The MSP Forum is therefore an initiative to tackle these challenges together and ensure the resilience and sustainability of CRM supply chains.

Next steps: Acquisition and development of new partners

The EU and the USA, in cooperation with existing MSP partners, invite potential members from North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe. The aim is to broaden participation in the Forum and initiate engagement within the project and policy dialogue groups. Official information from the European Commission can be found here.