Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jose W. Fernandez, is in New York today to participate in the 30th Cobalt Congress. He will discuss the United States' foreign policy goal to expand and build secure, sustainable, and resilient critical minerals supply chains through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and associated initiatives such as the MSP Forum.
The MSP is a collaboration of 14 countries and the EU. It was formed to catalyze public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains globally. The MSP Forum serves as a mechanism to formalize and expand MSP engagements with minerals producing countries. It focuses on advancing projects with high environmental, social, governance, and labor standards while promoting discussion of policies that contribute to diverse and resilient supply chains.
During the Cobalt Congress, Under Secretary Fernandez will engage senior business leaders and policymakers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Europe, and the United States. They will discuss U.S efforts to support the U.S.-DRC-Zambia tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop an electric vehicle value chain. Furthermore, they will explore how the MSP can identify opportunities to advance diverse and secure cobalt supply chains while meeting local beneficiation goals.
For more information about Cobalt Congress’ press coverage and livestream, visit the Cobalt Congress webpage. Additional details about the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) are also available online. To stay up-to-date with Under Secretary Fernandez's activities, follow him on X: @State_E, LinkedIn: @State-E, and Facebook: @StateDeptE. For media inquiries, please contact E_Communications@state.gov.
