The Philippine and Swedish governments have agreed to strengthen cooperation on sustainable mining and the development of critical minerals for the global clean energy transition. The move marks a new phase in bilateral ties focused on improving mining efficiency and sustainability.
DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla met Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry at the DENR central office in Quezon City to align the Philippines’ mineral development goals with Sweden’s expertise in green and responsible mining. The meeting explored technology transfer and research collaboration to support the Philippines’ low-carbon, climate-resilient transition. Environment Assistant Secretary and MGB director Michael Cabalda joined the talks with Swedish Trade Commissioner Johan Lennefalk, Senior Trade Promotion Officer Giselle Yap and Jayne Yang from Business Sweden.
Discussions covered strengthening environmental and social standards in mining operations, advancing the development of critical minerals, and promoting circular economy practices to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.
According to the Geological Survey of Sweden, the country produces nearly nine-tenths of all iron ore mined in the EU, underscoring its value as a partner for responsible mineral development. In the Philippines, mining GVA reached around 850 million USD in the first half of 2025 (about 0.72% of GDP), while mineral exports totaled around 4.96 billion USD, accounting for roughly 8.9% of total exports.
