Kuala Lumpur, 12 December 2025: ERIA, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) co-hosted a capacity-building workshop in Kuala Lumpur on 9–11 December 2025 to enhance ASEAN’s readiness to develop resilient and sustainable rare earth element (REE) value chains.

The opening session featured remarks by Mr Naoto Okura, Director General for Research and Policy Design at ERIA, and Ms Razana binti Yaacob, Deputy Undersecretary (Mineral) at NRES. Both speakers underscored the importance of regional co-operation and responsible mineral development in strengthening ASEAN’s REE value chains.

The programme commenced with a technical visit to a large-scale REE refining facility in Malaysia. Participants observed operational processes, environmental and regulatory management practices, and approaches to community engagement. The visit provided practical insights that informed subsequent discussions on strengthening ASEAN’s capabilities across the REE value chain.

Building on these observations, the workshop examined global policy approaches to critical minerals, highlighting supply chain vulnerabilities, the strategic importance of REEs, and the need to enhance diversification and supply security. Participants also reviewed experiences from other regions and discussed how relevant lessons could inform ASEAN’s policy and institutional responses.

Discussions further addressed geological and exploration-related considerations, including the formation of rare earth deposits, methods for assessing resource potential, and the role of robust geological data in guiding sector development. Investment and financing conditions were also explored, such as long project timelines, the importance of regulatory predictability, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements, skills availability, and the use of risk-mitigation instruments to enable responsible investment.

On the final day, representatives from ASEAN Member States shared national updates and participated in focused group discussions to identify opportunities to deepen regional co-operation, improve data transparency, and strengthen technical and institutional capacities.

The workshop concluded with a shared recognition that ASEAN holds significant potential to expand its role in global REE supply chains. Continued co-operation, predictable regulatory frameworks, and sustained dialogue will be essential as ERIA and the ASEAN Secretariat advance future regional initiatives.