Geopolitics and Asian Raw Materials

The demand for mineral and metallic raw materials is expected to increase immensely in the coming years. While sectors such as transportation and construction currently account for the majority of this demand, the ongoing process of energy transition in various countries worldwide will also require large scales of critical materials. In the current geopolitical setting, and given the high geographical concentration of mining and processing materials, this increasing demand for critical minerals is also framed as a “race for resources” and securing minerals supply chains has become part of strategic defense efforts.

Asia has a key role to play here: China is dominating the global market, particularly in smelting and refining raw materials, and is therefore able to use the export of critical minerals as diplomatic leverage. From September 15, export controls will apply in the People's Republic of China for the mineral antimony, which is used in the production of military equipment and batteries.

Various countries in Southeast Asia – such as Myanmar and Indonesia – have become key suppliers of important minerals such as rare earth elements (REE) and nickel. Countries such as India and South Korea, which are themselves, heavily dependent on imports of critical minerals, are taking increasing efforts in de-risking supply chains by exploring new global partnerships or seeking to tap their own resources. 

Europe and Germany are currently pursuing a double strategy of diversification and regulation – seeking to secure access to raw materials to become less dependent on China. They are thus increasingly targeting countries such as Indonesia, while also trying to enshrine human rights and environmental standards in regulations such as the European Critical Raw Materials Act or the German Due Diligence Law. 

What are the main challenges in Asia from a practical perspective? What does this mean for the current European and German regulatory efforts in this geopolitical setting? And where are Asian countries heading with regards to their own dependencies? 
These and other questions we will discuss together with our panellists.

From 13:00 h (1:00 pm)  there will be space for informal discussions and exchange. 

Panellists:

• Ben Hardman (Myanmar), Mekong Legal Director, Earth Rights International 
• Kyounga Lee (South Korea), Department of Energy and Mineral Resources Engineering, Dong-A University
• Luke Patey (Denmark) Senior Researcher on Foreign Policy and Diplomacy, Danish Institute for International Studies
• Ganesh Sivamani (India) Associate Fellow - Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP)
• Johanna Sydow (Germany) head of International Environmental Policy Division, Heinrich Böll Foundation

Moderation: Ruth Streicher; Jost Pachaly (Asia Divison, Heinrich Böll Foundation)

Contact: 
Felix Speidel 
speidel@boell.de 

Publication on the topic: 
Böll.Thema 2/23: Cursed Treasures - The global hunger for raw materials and its consequences for people and the environment

» Participation on site only
at the the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Conference Center, Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin

Please register in advance. Unfortunately, the number of seats for this event are limited. If we are at capacity, the conversation will be transmitted via video to other rooms.