The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the European Commission.
On July 18, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez and Deputy Director-General for Trade Leopoldo Rubinacci hosted the first high-level MSP Forum event. Ministers and high-level officials from MSP partner countries and mineral-producing countries participated virtually.
Since its inception in June 2022, the MSP has engaged with mineral-producing countries during gatherings with MSP partners and private sector companies. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis launched the MSP Forum in April 2024 to deepen and cement the MSP’s partnership with mineral-producing countries committed to high environmental, social, and governance standards and ready to advance mutually beneficial dialogue and cooperation on critical minerals. MSP Forum members will work together to develop individual projects and promote a dialogue on policies that contribute to diversification and resilience of supply chains.
During the event, the MSP Forum Co-Chairs, the United States and the European Union, shared the main objectives and a roadmap for the MSP Forum, including its two work streams, project development and policy dialogue. Under Secretary Fernandez and Deputy Director-General Rubinacci also welcomed eight new members of the MSP Forum – Argentina, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
The United States and the European Union look forward to working with MSP Forum members to coordinate the development of more sustainable and diverse critical minerals projects and promote policies that help us achieve our shared goals during the energy transition.
