Colombia has been pushing for a binding global minerals treaty at several key UN meetings, including at the seventh UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) last December.
Disputes over voting rules have allowed a small group of countries to block ambition – stalling a global treaty to curb plastic production and pollution.
Finalising ambitious climate targets, being self-reliant for climate funding and striving to uphold human rights aspects of critical minerals are ways the new Asean chair can steer the region to meet low carbon ambitions, amid geopolitical upheaval.