At the invitation of President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today participated in the International Investment Forum on Critical Minerals in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to advance sustainable and responsible critical minerals development, attract investment, and build resilient value chains across ASEAN. The Forum supports ASEAN’s ongoing efforts in developing the ASEAN Critical Minerals Strategy under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship 2026 Priority Economic Deliverable (PED) No.6, aimed at positioning ASEAN as a competitive, sustainable, and trusted partner in the global critical minerals ecosystem.