ASEAN is moving toward finalizing its Critical Minerals Strategy after regional officials and technical experts completed the third and final major consultative workshop in Singapore, with the framework set for further review ahead of formal adoption before the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026.
The strategy is Priority Economic Deliverable No. 6 under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship and is aimed at positioning Southeast Asia as a secure, high-value hub for critical minerals supporting the global energy transition.
The four-day workshop, held from September 1 to 4, built on earlier sessions conducted in Jakarta in March and June 2026.
Delegates used the Singapore workshop to validate the main structural components of the strategy, including final ASEAN critical minerals indicators and taxonomy, a proposed list of ASEAN critical minerals, and a regional definition of critical minerals.
Participants also reviewed the strategic framing and policy recommendations for the ASEAN Critical Minerals Policy Brief and discussed the core elements and foundational structure of the ASEAN Declaration on Critical Minerals Strategy.
The workshop was jointly organized by the ASEAN Secretariat, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, the Asian Development Bank, and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development.
The Philippines was represented by Mines and Geosciences Bureau Assistant Director Dr. Karlo L. Queaño and members of the PED No. 6 Technical Working Group.
Industry and civil society stakeholders also took part in the discussions to provide operational perspectives on critical minerals, while organizers presented the structure and mechanics of the assessment process for key stakeholders.
On the final day, delegates visited recycling facilities operated by World Metal Group and SK Tes to observe urban mining activities recovering materials such as gold, silver, platinum, lithium carbonate, and graphite from electronic waste and electric vehicle batteries.
Following the Singapore workshop, the technical drafting committee is expected to finalize the policy outcome documents.
The completed ASEAN Critical Minerals Strategy will then be presented for Senior Officials Meeting review, followed by ministerial review and formal adoption ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026.
Once adopted, the strategy is expected to supplement implementation of the ASEAN Minerals Cooperation Action Plan Phase IV through 2030.
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How could a regional critical minerals strategy strengthen ASEAN’s role in the global energy transition?
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