“It’s not a security conference as such but as we keep saying these are security issues,so that will be embedded into discussions,” Bowen said.
China is currently responsible for about 90 per cent of global critical minerals,which are needed for renewables and clean energy technologies. Developed nations,including the US,are hunting for alternative supplies to reduce their dependence on China and Australia’s abundant deposits of these materials is a focus for development.
Bowen said regional collaboration to diversify energy supply chains would boost national security,which for many countries has come under strain in soaring prices for energy,caused by a global supply crunch following internationalbans on Russia’s coal and gas exports.
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Tuesday’s forum will see Bowen and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meet with US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm,Japan’s Economic Trade and Industry Minister Kōichi Hagiuda and India’s Power Renewable Energy Minister Raj Kumar Singh as part of the nations’ Quad partnership. Indonesia’s Energy and Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif will be a special inclusion as a Pacific-region ally.
“The point I’ll be making in discussions is the Indo-Pacific region is responsible for almost half the world’s emissions but we’re also key players in the solution with our access to critical minerals and ... Japan,India,the US,and Indonesia are key parts of the puzzle,” Bowen said.
“The more we’re working together the better off we are in our national interest,to be embedding the things closely in the relationship with our key ally in the US,and with our close friends and partners across the board.”