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Raw materials international co-operation

 

Proposals should address one of the following:

a) Demand-supply forecast and raw materials flows at global level (2016): Proposals should develop a common methodology to mineral raw materials flows at global level which could be agreed and used at international level. As a pilot case, focus should be on critical raw materials and in particular the ones used in low-carbon technologies. The methodology should incorporate models on demand-supply forecast in order to allow for dynamic analysis of global materials flows. Proposals should provide recommendations and feed into future policy developments.

In line with the strategy for EU international cooperation in research and innovation (COM(2012)497), international co-operation is required with the US and Japan in the field of Materials Flow Analysis. Where appropriate, synergies with the relevant EU Member States initiatives are to be explored and fostered.

Proposals should build on the outcomes of the Study on Data Inventory for a Raw Material System Analysis and on related studies performed by the International Resource Panel.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 1 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

b) Advancing the idea of a World Forum on Raw Materials (2016): With a view to contributing to the fair and unrestricted access to raw materials worldwide, this action should cover all the following points:

  • develop an EU-based platform of international key experts and stakeholders that would advance the idea of a World Forum on Raw Materials and enhance the international cooperation among G20 Member countries as well as the other third countries active in the mining and other raw materials sectors;
  • foster sharing of experience with a view to increasing understanding of all aspects of trade in raw materials and strategies to leverage natural resources for wider growth and development in close co-operation with the OECD to contribute to the OECD policy dialogue;
  • where appropriate explore and foster synergies with the relevant EU Member States initiatives;
  • identify common needs and threats, and develop and promote on international fora recommendations on possible actions to consolidate the efforts of the countries involved towards a more joint and coherent approach towards raw materials policy and investment;
  • involve relevant organisations, in particular OECD, International Study Groups, CONNEX, the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, UNEP Resource Panel, in the planned activities.

In line with the strategy for EU international co-operation in research and innovation (COM(2012)497), international co-operation is required, in particular with G20 Member countries as well as the other third countries active in the mining and other raw materials sectors, and international organisations.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 1 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

c) International network of raw materials training centres (2017): Proposals should create a self-sustainable long-term lasting international network of training centres for professionals. The proposals should involve educational and research institutions in the EU and the leading counterparts in third countries, based on specific country expertise in the primary and secondary raw materials sectors. The network should map skills and knowledge in the EU and the third countries, identify key knowledge gaps and emerging needs, develop roadmap for improving skills and knowledge, as well as establish common training programmes in the raw materials sectors.

In line with the EU's strategy for international co-operation in research and innovation (COM(2012)497), international collaboration is required. Where appropriate, synergies with the relevant EU Member States initiatives are to be explored and fostered.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 1 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Many countries are facing similar challenges in the field of mineral raw materials as the EU, including dependence on supply of raw material from international markets, shortage of knowledge on raw materials and their flows for decision making by authorities, industry, financial sector etc. Understanding of the global nature of raw materials value chains and ensuring sustainable supply of primary and secondary raw materials for the EU requires knowledge of materials flows at a global level and relevant skills. At present, there is a shortage of specialists in the EU in some areas related to primary and secondary raw materials production and raw materials markets. This is a challenge that needs to be addressed at the EU level together with the relevant countries around the world having expertise in the field. In addition, the global nature of raw materials value chains requires common approach and solutions at a global level in order to ensure fair and unrestricted access to raw materials worldwide. There is therefore a need for a more active involvement of the EU in relevant initiatives and closer collaboration with competent international organisations in the field of raw materials.

The project is expected to contribute to:

a)

  • implementation of the Raw Materials Initiative[[http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/raw-materials/policy-strategy/index_en.htm]] and achieving the objectives of the EIP on Raw Materials, in particular in terms of establishing and maintaining strong and sustainable relationships with the countries concerned, in particular with Japan and US;
  • better informed decision-making by authorities and companies at the EU and global levels;
  • better understanding of global raw materials flows and market trends;

b)

  • implementation of the Raw Materials Initiative and achieving the objectives of the EIP on Raw Materials, in particular in terms of establishing and maintaining strong and sustainable relationships with the relevant international organisations and countries;
  • fair and unrestricted access to raw materials worldwide;
  • economic stability in the raw materials supply at a global level;
  • better informed decision-making at EU and global levels;

c)

  • implementation of the Raw Materials Initiative and achieving the objectives of the EIP on Raw Materials, in particular in terms of establishing and maintaining strong and sustainable relationships with the leading training institutions in the relevant countries;
  • increasing the EU competence and expertise in the field of the primary and secondary raw materials;
  • improved availability of qualified and skilled workforce leading to higher competitiveness of the EU raw materials industry;
  • enhancing the possibility for new cross-sectorial innovations.