The Conference on “Shaping ASEAN’s Critical Mineral Future” was held on 15-16 September 2025 in Seoul. The event was part of the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF)-funded “Critical Minerals Management & Strategy for Sustainable Environment in ASEAN” project and was organized by the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIET) with support from the project’s co-proponents, Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programme (CCOP) and Geological Agency of Indonesia.  

The one and half day conference gathered minerals and geological experts as well as government officials from ASEAN Member States. It provided a platform for the participants to discuss mineral development and industrial strategies, while also addressing a wide range of issues including technology, market, and public-private partnerships. Representatives from ASEAN Member States, Korea, and international organisations including UN ESCAP and Asian Development Bank (ADB) shared their perspective during the discussions.  

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. HA Daegoog, Director of ASEAN Cooperation Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, emphasized Korea’s intention to support ASEAN Member States’ capacity in critical minerals management, highlighting the importance of building a sustainable and complementary ASEAN-Korea partnership.  

Dr. KIM Chun Kon, Vice-President of KIET, in his opening remarks underscored the need for ASEAN Member States, with their significant mineral reserves and a drive for industrial and economic development, to work together with Korea, which brings technological expertise and policy experience. Such collaboration would pave the way for a practical and result-oriented cooperation in the field of critical minerals.