Washington: The United Arab Emirates and the United States have signed a Framework on Securing Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, marking a significant step in bilateral cooperation. The agreement was formalized on the sidelines of the US Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, DC, reflecting both nations' commitment to building diversified, resilient supply chains essential for defense, advanced technologies, and industrial growth.
According to Emirates News Agency, the framework was signed by Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Jacob Helberg, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs. The Ministry of Investment joined international partners at the ministerial event, engaging with over 50 global counterparts to advance dialogue and cooperation aimed at strengthening secure and resilient critical minerals supply chains.
The framework aims to accelerate the secure supply of critical minerals by leveraging existing policy tools such as the US' industrial demand and stockpiling infrastructure and the UAE's strategic reserves. It provides a platform to mobilize public and private investment across the value chain, including mining, separation, processing, recycling, and downstream activities. The agreement includes mechanisms like financing, guarantees, equity investments, offtake arrangements, insurance, and regulatory facilitation to support investment.
Both nations have committed to identifying priority projects that address supply chain gaps, with plans to finance projects within six months of the framework's signing. These projects are expected to generate end products for delivery to both markets. The framework also supports streamlined permitting processes and cooperation to strengthen market resilience, addressing non-market policies and unfair trade practices.
Additional areas of cooperation include investment in recycling technologies, improved management of critical minerals scrap, geological mapping efforts, and enhanced review of asset sales on national security grounds. Collaboration with third parties to strengthen supply chain security is also emphasized.
Minister Alsuwaidi highlighted the global nature of critical minerals supply chains and the importance of coordinated action and sustained investment to meet future demand and support resilient industrial growth. He noted that as the second-largest source of foreign investment into the UAE, the partnership with the United States is crucial for addressing global challenges and advancing projects across the critical minerals value chain.
Under Secretary Helberg underscored the UAE as a key partner of the United States, reinforced by the UAE's US$1.4 trillion investment commitment in the US over the next decade. He emphasized the framework's role in reflecting the shared ability to collaborate across strategic industries, including critical minerals, to strengthen economic and national security.
Through its participation in the ministerial and the signing of the framework, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to shared solutions, international cooperation, and investment-led partnerships that support secure, resilient, and diversified critical minerals supply chains, contributing to long-term global economic stability and resilience.
