EU–New Caledonia strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials
- The MoU sets a political framework for cooperation across five areas including value‑chain integration, infrastructure, skills, sustainability and R&I.
- New Caledonia accounted for 3.1% of global nickel production in 2024 and is an Overseas Country and Territory.
- The EU and New Caledonia will jointly develop a roadmap with EU Member States, the European Investment Bank, industry and partners to define concrete actions.
- This is the European Commission’s 17th strategic raw‑materials partnership since 2021.
Agreement
The European Commission and the government of New Caledonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains, creating a political framework for cooperation.
Scope of cooperation
The MoU defines five cooperation areas: fostering economic and industrial integration of critical and other raw‑material value chains; ensuring mineral sector development supports sustainable, inclusive local value creation and adheres to EU environmental, social and governance standards; mobilising support for transport and energy infrastructure needs; strengthening skills through education, vocational training, research and industry cooperation; and collaborating on research and innovation across prospecting, extraction, processing, recycling, refining, substitution, circularity and mine closure and rehabilitation.
Next steps
Following signature, the parties will jointly develop a roadmap in consultation with EU Member States, the European Investment Bank, industry and partners to translate the partnership into concrete actions.
Context
New Caledonia is a major nickel producer (3.1% of global production in 2024) and holds OCT status. The MoU is the EU’s 17th strategic raw‑materials partnership since 2021 and aligns with the Global Gateway strategy, the Critical Raw Materials Act and the RESourceEU Action Plan.
Source: European Commission