On Wednesday, July 24th, 2026, the UN Security Council held a day-long debate addressing the intensifying global race for critical minerals needed for electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, and smartphones. These minerals are vital for the transition away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy sources.

Many of these minerals are located in countries experiencing conflict, weak governance, or poverty. The Council discussed the risks that poor management of these resources can fuel misconduct, finance armed groups, harm the environment, and fail to improve the lives of local communities.

Ministers and diplomats raised the urgent question of how to ensure that the pursuit of critical minerals supports the clean energy transition without exacerbating conflict. The debate marked a shift in framing these minerals not only as an economic issue but also as one of peace, security, justice, and shared prosperity.

A key message emphasized that producing countries and local communities must be the primary beneficiaries of their natural resources, rather than conflict actors or criminal networks. To address these challenges, the Council proposed forming a Group comprising interested UN Member States, the United Nations, regional organizations, international financial institutions, producing and consuming countries, responsible economic actors, and civil society. This Group's mission would be to maintain ongoing dialogue, share best practices, strengthen mechanisms, and develop proposals to better integrate natural resource issues into UN work.

The discussion underscores the complex realities facing the global community as it balances the urgent need for critical minerals with the imperative to prevent conflict and promote equitable development.

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