Mineral Diplomacy Expands As Future Minerals Forum 2026 Unites Over 100 Countries

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir stated that the fifth Future Minerals Forum serves as a key international venue, gathering representatives from more than 100 mining countries in Riyadh, to examine shared challenges, widen investment prospects, and better understand worldwide demand for critical minerals.

Al-Jubeir, who is also a Cabinet Member, delivered the comments during a dialogue session at the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum, held in Riyadh under the theme "How Diplomacy Can Help Mineral-Supplying Countries Compete Globally for Minerals." During the discussion, Al-Jubeir linked these goals directly to international diplomatic efforts.

In the session, Al-Jubeir outlined the modern idea of "mineral diplomacy" as a practical framework for cooperation. The approach, he explained, is built on dialogue and long-term strategic partnerships connecting countries of origin and supply, consumer states, private companies, and non-governmental organisations within the minerals value chain.

Al-Jubeir highlighted that this emerging diplomatic model involves deeper collaboration through investment in mining-related industries inside resource-rich states. He stressed the importance of supporting refining and mineral processing facilities locally, so that producing countries can maintain value chains, create sustainable employment, and strengthen their economic and social resilience.

The minister said that such cooperative arrangements increase mutual dependence in a balanced way and can ease tensions. When every party benefits from a system based on clear shared interests, he noted, the likelihood of disputes falls, and stakeholders gain incentives to maintain stable, predictable relations over the long term.

Al-Jubeir also underlined that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sees a special responsibility in this context. The Kingdom’s geographic position between three continents, its control of important global sea lanes, its energy resources, and its mineral potential all shape its international role and obligations.

He added that Saudi Arabia’s custodianship of the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah further reinforces this sense of duty. The Kingdom therefore works to support global stability, help reduce conflicts, and build effective, influential partnerships, with the Future Minerals Forum forming one of the platforms through which these objectives are actively pursued.

With inputs from SPA