Today in Riyadh, the Third International Ministerial Meeting for Ministers concerned with Mining Affairs is taking place, which is a key feature of the International Mining Conference.
The meeting aims to enhance international cooperation on the production of strategic minerals crucial for the energy transition and to highlight the potential of the major mining region through discussions and exchange of ideas and experiences among government representatives and high-ranking officials.
The goal is to lay the foundations for sustainable mineral industry development in the world and the region, as well as to build capacities and position the minerals industry as a key driver of economic and social development. Participants are expected to discuss the global competition in the mineral market.
The meeting will also review steps taken to turn discussions into actionable outcomes based on the four main initiatives identified in the previous ministerial meeting.
These include establishing principles for creating an international cooperation framework for strategic minerals, developing regional excellence centers to assist in capacity building, developing environmental, social, and transparent frameworks to ensure the region fully benefits from the expected growth in mineral extraction and production, and establishing green mineral manufacturing centers in the Kingdom and the region, utilizing clean energy technologies.
The convening of this international ministerial meeting underscores the vital role the mining industry plays in shaping the transition to a sustainable future and fostering equitable economic development. The ministerial representation, with 45 ministers in attendance, highlights that the International Mining Conference has rapidly established itself as a leading global platform for shaping the future of minerals.
All participating countries aim to secure the future supply chains for minerals to facilitate the global transition to clean energy and achieve regional economic development in the mining and minerals sector. The region stretching from Africa to West and Central Asia possesses promising mining capabilities that could help bridge the future demand gap.
Over 77 countries are represented at the meeting, including G20 members such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as countries with prominent mining sectors like Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Additionally, representatives from 13 international organizations, 15 non-governmental organizations, and 7 business federations are attending, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Gulf Cooperation Council, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Meanwhile, the Tenth Consultative Meeting of Arab Ministers concerned with Mineral Resources is also taking place today, aiming to enhance regional cooperation and coordination among Arab countries in the mining sector, exchange best practices, and optimize the use of mineral resources. The meeting will also address challenges in the mining sector and explore effective solutions, as well as develop legislation and policies to encourage sustainable growth and development in the sector.
Additionally, the International Meeting of Geological Survey Leaders is convening today, focusing on empowering investment growth in geological surveys across the major region covering Africa, West, and Central Asia, updating digital geological survey data, and making it accessible to stakeholders throughout the region, as well as supporting capacity-building through the Centers of Excellence initiative.
The International Mining Conference, which will take place on January 10-11, is hosting over 15,000 participants from 145 countries. The conference will feature more than 200 speakers, including top executives from major mining companies and those related to the minerals and finance sectors, with over 150 sponsors and exhibitors.
