CRITICAL MINERALS
Why is innovation in critical minerals in developing countries important?
Critical minerals are essential for advancing the clean energy transition by powering technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles due to their unique properties. Ensuring a stable supply is crucial for enhancing energy security and economic resilience in developing countries. Innovations in resource efficiency and recycling technologies reduce dependency and promote sustainable resource management and environmental sustainability.
How does the A2D Facility contribute to addressing challenges in critical minerals?
- Focuses on midstream and downstream segments to commercialize clean energy technologies in developing countries.
- Supports pilot projects to decarbonize mineral processing, promote recycling, and implement circular economy principles.
- Aims to foster resilience and sustainability in critical minerals management through grant funding and knowledge dissemination.
UNIDO Initiatives
Unido's wider work
UNIDO employs a comprehensive approach to supporting countries in the critical minerals value chain, offering capacity building, technology transfer, and policy advice. Some Initiatives include managing mineral resources through training needs assessments, curriculum development, equipment procurement, and vocational training. UNIDO also works on formalising artisanal small-scale gold mining, optimising supply chains, and improving quality and standards for sectoral transformation. Additionally, UNIDO's Investment and Technology Offices facilitate the transfer of technologies to enhance SMEs' technical capabilities, ensuring their market competitiveness. Initiatives like the Global Alliance for Responsible and Green Minerals and participation in the UN Framework on Just Transitions for Critical Energy Transition Minerals underscore UNIDO's commitment to sustainable industrial development, environmental stewardship, and economic growth through responsible critical minerals management (UNIDO, 2023).
