UNEP

Regulating Critical Mineral Supply Chains for Emerging Technologies

Committee Profile

The rapid growth of emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, batteries, AI hardware, and advanced microchips is increasing global demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, copper, and rare earth elements. However, these minerals are concentrated in a limited number of countries, creating supply chain bottlenecks and giving certain states significant influence over mining, processing, and exports. At the same time, mineral-rich developing countries face challenges involving labor conditions, environmental protection, limited infrastructure, and unequal access to the economic benefits of mineral production. Delegates must determine how to create secure and sustainable critical-mineral supply chains while balancing technological development, economic interests, environmental responsibility, and fair opportunities for producer countries.