The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the surging demand for critical minerals essential for technology and national security, with projections indicating a possible tripling of this demand by 2030 and a quadrupling by 2040. Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo made this statement during a Security Council meeting centered on the theme "Energy, Critical Minerals and Security," which was organized by the United States, the current president of the Security Council for the month.
DiCarlo emphasized the growing importance of minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, stating that they have transitioned from having limited strategic significance to becoming foundational components of the digital economy and the global energy transition. In 2023, trade in raw and semi-processed minerals reached an estimated $2.5 trillion, accounting for over 10% of global trade. The data and projections cited by DiCarlo were sourced from U.N. reports published in 2025.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who presided over the meeting, underscored the national security interests of the United States and its allies, stressing the need to reduce reliance on any single nation for critical materials. Wright noted that current efforts to understand the strategic importance of critical minerals and energy are crucial for conflict prevention and fostering global cooperation.
In recent policy shifts, the Trump administration has been taking significant steps to secure supplies of critical minerals required for electric vehicles, fighter jets, and other technologically advanced products. A major concern has been China's dominant position in the market for rare earth minerals, leading to reduced supply amidst heightened tariffs from the United States. Although a temporary truce was established to alleviate some of the trade tensions, China's restrictions on mineral exports remain stricter than before.
China's U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong commented on the accelerating global demand for critical minerals amid advancements in technology and an energy transition. He pointed to increasing disparities in supply and demand and called for enhanced international cooperation to ensure stable resources and supply chains, thereby promoting global economic stability. He also advocated for participation in a "green mining" initiative that China had introduced at the G20 summit in South Africa the previous November.
As part of the U.S. strategy to diversify critical mineral sources, the administration is enhancing collaboration with nations such as Venezuela and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo). Recently, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced that Venezuela would provide security assurances to mining companies that invest in regions rich in minerals but long controlled by illegal groups.
Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi has also extended offers to U.S. companies for access to the country's largely untapped mineral reserves, valued at an estimated $24 trillion. This access is being used as leverage to gain U.S. support for fighting rebels and developing critical infrastructure. Furthermore, Congo's U.N. Ambassador Zenon Mukongo has emphasized the vital role of the private sector in the mineral industry and stressed the importance of compliance with national laws to prevent financing armed groups and illegal exploitation of resources.
