RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) –

The Future Minerals Forum (FMF) has announced that its Ministerial Roundtable, scheduled for January 9, 2024, ahead of the third edition of the Forum, is poised to set attendance records. With confirmation from over eighty countries, more than forty-five will send ministers to participate in discussions alongside 20 official international organizations, 30 non-governmental organizations, and 13 business associations.

As the highest-level gathering on minerals globally, the Ministerial Roundtable is a significant moment for the global mining and metals sector. It represents a historic turning point, particularly for the Super Region spanning from Africa to West and Central Asia, highlighting the Kingdom’s leadership role in this sector and region.

Established by Saudi Arabia, the Ministerial Roundtable is a government-led multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at fostering international cooperation in the production of critical minerals crucial for the energy sector transformation. This meeting comes at a time when the mineral sector is facing unprecedented challenges due to the growing demand for energy transition minerals and metals, prompting countries worldwide to secure stable supply chains.

The Ministerial Roundtable emphasizes the importance of collaboration in addressing the global challenges anticipated in the mineral sector.

Vice-Minister for Mining Affairs, Khalid Al-Mudaifer, noted that the substantial number of attending ministers underscores the political and economic significance of the Kingdom and the increasing importance of minerals. He highlighted that FMF has positioned itself as a leading global platform for shaping the future of minerals. Al-Mudaifer emphasized that high-level government representation from mineral-producing and consuming countries indicates global awareness of the importance of minerals, especially those crucial for energy transformation programs and related industries.

The Roundtable’s agenda includes discussions on the international competition within the metals market and strategies to create agreements among countries amidst this competitive landscape.