Regional Workshop Tackles Critical Mineral Crime in Southeast Asia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – A regional workshop focused on combating organized crime and illicit trafficking of critical minerals in Southeast Asia was successfully held on December 4-5 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in collaboration with the Government of Cambodia and the National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Weapons (NACW), hosted the event.
The workshop brought together 30 participants from 11 countries, including representatives from law enforcement, government, international organizations, and independent experts. Participating nations included Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Italy, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, and Viet Nam. The event was supported by the Cambodian Government and NACW.
Discussions during the workshop centered on several key areas:
- Governance challenges
- Regional impacts of illegal mining and associated crimes
- Gaps in regulatory frameworks
- Organized crime involvement
- Law enforcement challenges
Participants also reviewed early findings from a UNICRI study on crimes associated with critical minerals in Southeast Asia, which provided actionable insights for strengthening supply chain security, combating transnational crimes, and promoting sustainable practices.
Collaborative working group sessions allowed participants to pinpoint key gaps in legal frameworks and enforcement capacities while fostering cross-sectoral dialogue. Experts from the European Space Agency (ESA), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and SICPA shared international perspectives alongside regional authorities and civil society organizations.
UNICRI expressed gratitude to all participants, the Government of Cambodia, and NACW for their contributions to the workshop’s success. The workshop is part of UNICRI’s broader initiative to combat crimes associated with critical minerals and promote sustainable governance in Southeast Asia and beyond.
