Trilateral 2025

Trilateral Pathways to Resource Security: Japan-Australia-India Collaboration on Critical Minerals

Summary

A trilateral gathering of researchers, industry leaders, and policy makers from Japan, Australia and India focused on strengthening critical-mineral supply chains for the clean-energy transition. Through plenaries, focused workshops and roundtable discussions, the Kyoto Roundtable will identify systemic vulnerabilities, promote collaborative R&D, and map practical pathways for resilient, sustainable critical-mineral ecosystems across the Indo-Pacific.

Why this matters?

The accelerating global demand for batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy infrastructure highlights growing vulnerabilities in critical-mineral supply chains. Geopolitical pressures and policy shifts can interrupt access to essential resources — making international cooperation essential. This Roundtable brings together complementary strengths in resource endowment, processing, technology and policy from Japan, Australia and India to build resilient, diversified, and sustainable supply chains for net-zero technologies.

Themes

Critical minerals and supply chains — mapping resources, by-product streams, and cross-border dependencies
Battery storage & technologies — from raw supply through advanced cell and system technologies
Trade & investment — financing, trade policy, and industrial strategies to deepen regional value chains
Governance & policy — regulatory levers, standards, and multi-lateral mechanisms for supply-chain resilience
Defence, security & sovereign capabilities — strategic risk management, stockpiling and secure processing

Societal contribution (expected outcomes)

Strengthen the security of critical-mineral supply chains through trilateral coordination.
Provide a multi-lateral mapping of resources and research ecosystems for energy-critical minerals, identifying weakspots and synergistic opportunities.
Establish a robust trilateral framework to mitigate vulnerabilities in mineral and technology supply chains.
Promote joint R&D in clean energy, advanced manufacturing and resource efficiency to support net-zero transitions.
Enhance strategic trust and economic integration across the Indo-Pacific, in alignment with national development priorities.

Who should attend?

Academic researchers (geology, metallurgy, materials, energy systems, policy and social sciences)
Industry leaders across mining, refining, recycling and battery manufacturing
Government and policy officials focused on trade, resource security and industrial strategy
Defence and security analysts, investors, and NGO stakeholders working on sustainable resource governance

Program schedule

Tuesday 25 November	Day1: Plenary Symposium Plenary talks across the five themes. Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm Venue: Kyoto University Participation: Both online and in-person options are available. Participants from overseas can join virtually, while those based in Japan may attend either in person or online.
Wednesday 26 November	Day 2: Workshops Focused half-day workshops for each theme; JAI group meetings and Roundtable preparation. Time: 10:30am – 1:00pm Venue: Kyoto University Participation: Both online and in-person options are available. Participants from overseas can join virtually, while those based in Japan may attend either in person or online.
Thursday 27 November	Day 3: The Kyoto Roundtable Full day of roundtable sessions and integrated cross-theme discussion. Venue: International Conference Hall III, 2F, Clock Tower Centennial Hall, Kyoto University Participation: Separate Event - The event on 27 November is organised by another group and requires additional registration . More details are available here.
Friday 28 November	JAI inter-group exchange & discussion Inter-group knowledge exchange and next-steps planning (various locations at Kyoto University)