Overview
- Briefing the Council, UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said demand for lithium, cobalt and nickel could triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, with 2023 trade in raw and semi‑processed minerals reaching about $2.5 trillion.
- DiCarlo highlighted high concentration risks, noting over 70% of global cobalt extraction occurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and urged stronger governance, traceability and equitable benefit‑sharing to curb illicit financing and conflict.
- The United Kingdom backed conflict‑sensitive investment and diversified, partnerships‑based supply chains, citing transparent contracts, ESG standards and community benefits, with an example spanning Indonesia, Canada, Japan and a Vale refinery in Wales.
- Pakistan pledged regulatory reforms, modernized geological mapping, greater licensing transparency and environmentally responsible mining, pressed for value addition in producer countries, and flagged the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum on April 8–9.
- Presiding for the U.S., Energy Secretary Chris Wright stressed reducing over‑reliance on single suppliers as the U.S. expands diversification efforts, while China’s Ambassador Fu Cong called for cooperative “green mining” to stabilize global supply chains.