Paris – Latest Zealand has affirmed its commitment to bolstering the global supply of critical minerals, essential for the transition to clean energy technologies, by joining an international declaration at the 2026 International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial meeting in Paris. The move signals a growing international focus on securing access to resources like lithium, rare earth elements, and vanadium, which are vital components in batteries, wind turbines, and other clean tech systems.
The declaration, endorsed by 32 member countries including New Zealand, aims to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals to enhance long-term energy security. According to a statement released by the New Zealand government, the agreement recognizes the increasing importance of these minerals for global supply chains and calls for coordinated action to ensure their reliable and sustainable sourcing. This comes as global demand for these resources is projected to rise significantly in the coming years, driven by the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.
New Zealand’s Role in the IEA’s Critical Minerals Security Programme
New Zealand is already an active participant in the IEA’s Critical Minerals Security Programme, focusing on key areas such as supply chain security, market transparency, responsible sourcing, data reliability, and innovation. Energy Minister Simon Watts, who attended the ministerial meeting this week, highlighted the strategic importance of the declaration, stating it recognizes the need for both short-term preparedness and long-term investment in diversifying refining and processing capabilities. Watts emphasized that New Zealand is “well-positioned to develop into a credible and reliable contributor to international supply chains” as demand increases.
The declaration supports the work of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on critical minerals security, recognizing that access to these resources is increasingly important for global supply chains. The IEA has been actively working to identify and address vulnerabilities in the supply of critical minerals, publishing reports and providing policy recommendations to member countries. The IEA’s 2023 report underscored the need for significant investment in critical mineral production and processing to meet future demand.
Domestic Opportunities and Strategic Assets
Resources Minister Shane Jones underscored the potential for New Zealand to leverage its own mineral resources, including occurrences of antimony, lithium, rare earth elements, and vanadium, as “strategic assets” for both economic resilience and international partnerships. The government is signaling a willingness to explore responsible development and investment in these resources, recognizing their growing value in the global clean technology landscape. Jones’s comments suggest a potential shift towards greater domestic resource utilization, aligning with the international push for diversified and secure supply chains.
The move by New Zealand aligns with a broader trend of countries seeking to reduce their reliance on single suppliers for critical minerals. Concerns about geopolitical risks and potential supply disruptions have prompted governments to prioritize the development of domestic resources and the diversification of supply chains. Minister Tim Hodgson of Canada recently met with New Zealand’s Energy Minister Simon Watts to discuss New Zealand’s emerging critical minerals sector, further demonstrating the growing international collaboration in this area.
The IEA declaration strengthens international co-operation on critical minerals, with New Zealand joining 32 member countries in endorsing the agreement. The declaration recognizes the strategic importance of these minerals for energy security and calls for timely, focused action—from short‑term preparedness to accelerating strategic projects that diversify refining, and processing.
Looking ahead, the New Zealand government will likely focus on developing a national strategy for critical minerals, outlining a roadmap for responsible exploration, extraction, and processing. Further collaboration with international partners, including the IEA and countries like Canada, will be crucial to ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of these essential resources. The next steps will involve detailed assessments of New Zealand’s mineral resources and the development of regulatory frameworks to support responsible investment and development.
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