UN Urges Respect For Critical Minerals Norms

The UN urged the global community on Thursday to respect established international norms for extracting and processing critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, citing rising demand for energy-transition technologies. It highlighted new UN instruments, including the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and 2025 Working Group Guidance for Action, to promote human rights, environmental protection and equitable development. The guidance aims to reduce geopolitical tensions and socio-environmental harms.