Australia has been formally invited to participate in a high-level meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies this coming week in Washington to focus on critical minerals and supply chain security.

The gathering, hosted by the United States under the auspices of the G7, will address global challenges in securing essential raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, copper, rare earths and graphite, which are crucial for defence technologies, semiconductors, renewable energy components and battery production.

Australia’s attendance reflects its strategic role as a major producer and partner in efforts to diversify global supply chains and reduce reliance on dominant suppliers.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who convened the meeting, told Reuters that invitations extend beyond the core G7 membership – which comprises the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Canada plus the European Union – to include nations like Australia and India, though confirmation of attendance by some remains pending.

The in-person session follows a virtual ministerial discussion held in December, marking an intensified push to translate prior agreements into coordinated action.

Australia has already embedded critical minerals cooperation at the centre of its international economic engagement, signing a bilateral framework with the United States in October that aims to secure expanded supply chains for rare earths and other key materials.

That agreement includes substantial investment commitments and shared plans to accelerate mining, processing and diversification efforts to bolster global resilience.

Canberra’s participation in the Washington meeting underscores ongoing efforts to align its resource strengths with broader Western strategies to address geopolitical risks and supply vulnerabilities, particularly in light of recent export controls and disruptions by dominant suppliers.

The Washington talks are expected to explore policy measures, investment frameworks and collaborative mechanisms designed to strengthen the resilience of critical minerals markets.

Discussions will also consider how to integrate industry partners, innovators and allied governments into sustainable, transparent supply chains that support economic and technological security.

Australia’s presence highlights its growing influence in shaping these international agendas and advancing shared priorities among major producers and consumers of critical materials.