To enhance global minerals security and promote sustainable practices, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, in collaboration with the European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, has officially inaugurated the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Forum in Leuven, Belgium.
The event, which took place on April 5, saw the participation of esteemed dignitaries, including ministers from MSP partner economies and minerals-producing countries.
Among the notable attendees were Thomas Alweendo, Minister for Mines and Energy of Namibia, Volodymyr Kuzio, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Kanat Sharlapaev, Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan, and Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan.
The MSP Forum, announced during the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto in March, solidifies the partnership between MSP and minerals-producing nations committed to advancing projects with high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
At its core, the MSP Forum aims to foster diverse and resilient supply chains while supporting local industries and capacities. It serves as a platform for MSP partners and Forum members to explore and advance both projects and policies geared towards sustainable mineral extraction and utilization.
Led by the United States, the Project component of the MSP Forum will facilitate project information sharing among MSP partners, Forum members, and the private sector. It will also feature presentations on critical minerals opportunities, technical collaboration, and more.
On the other hand, the Policy Dialogue component, spearheaded by the EU, will focus on policies to boost sustainable production and local capacities, discussions on regulatory cooperation for fair competition and transparency, and initiatives to promote high ESG standards and effective recycling practices.
