Mr Malaythong Kommasith chairs the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals last week.

ASEAN ministers adopt key plans for future mineral growth

ASEAN ministers have agreed on five key documents to guide the region’s mineral development in the coming years during the 10th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals held in Vientiane.
The meeting, held under the theme “Invest ASEAN: Minerals for the Future”, was chaired by Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Malaythong Kommasith.
Ministers, deputy ministers, and senior officials responsible for mineral affairs from ASEAN member countries, Timor-Leste, and dialogue partners including China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea attended the event.
The ministers adopted the ASEAN Minerals Development Vision, the draft ASEAN Minerals Development Vision Declaration, the ASEAN Minerals Cooperation Action Plan 2026–2030, the ASEAN Minerals Information System, and the ASEAN Minerals Investment Guidebook.
These documents will serve as important roadmaps for ASEAN’s long-term mineral cooperation. They aim to strengthen technical and professional collaboration, build human resource capacity, promote investment, and enhance technological development in the sector.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Malaythong said it was an opportunity for ASEAN to strengthen cooperation and promote responsible mineral investment to support regional growth.
He said Laos was honoured to host the meeting, adding that the outcomes would help boost ASEAN’s contribution to sustainable mineral development and the transition to clean energy.
In addition to the main discussions, the 4th ASEAN Mineral Awards were presented to 14 mining companies from across ASEAN that reached the final round of the 2025 competition.
The awards recognise outstanding achievements in environmental protection, social responsibility, and innovation in mineral development, encouraging best practices across the region.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 8, 2025)