Superannuation peak body ASFA has signed the Statement on accelerating investment for critical minerals projects in G7 countries and like-minded partners, the only pensions body to do so worldwide.
The Statement was formally adopted by a meeting of 39 of the G7 and partner countries’ top companies, financial institutions, and industry associations in Paris on 10 June, referred to as the Critical Minerals Investment Forum.
The Forum was hosted by French Economy Minister Roland Lescure under the French G7 Presidency, ahead of the G7 leaders’ summit taking place in Évian this week.
ASFA CEO Mary Delahunty attended the Forum and signed the Statement on behalf of Australia’s superannuation sector.
The Statement calls for greater mobilisation of private capital to build resilient and diversified critical minerals supply chains, and for stronger coordination between public and private actors, including expanded use of equity and blended finance instruments, long-term offtake agreements, and scaled-up risk-sharing instruments from G7 governments.
Ms Delahunty said ASFA was proud to represent Australia’s $4.5 trillion superannuation sector at discussions crucial for the global economy.
“Australia was the only country at the table bringing the pension sector directly into the conversation. This is a topic which needs the perspective of the longest-term institutional investors taken into account from the outset, because resilient critical minerals supply chains – and the security they offer countries like those in the G7 and Australia – will ultimately depend on the ability to mobilise large-scale, patient capital for long-term projects,” Ms Delahunty said.
“From a superannuation perspective, the conversation needs to be around how capital is actually allocated, beyond the diplomatic community identifying that capital needs to be allocated. That means addressing things like the need for project transparency, strong governance, and appropriate risk-adjusted returns.
“Too often, these discussions focus on policy ambitions and supply-side development without taking into account the nuts and bolts that capital needs to build an investment case – in this case, to support the investment of working Australians’ hard-earned retirement savings.
“As the G7 leaders meet this week, the Forum has made clear to policymakers that innovative approaches are needed to answer the critical minerals questions their governments need to answer. This could include blended finance, public-private partnerships, offtake agreements, and new mechanisms to help de-risk early-stage critical minerals projects.
“ASFA will continue to work with the Australian Government and international counterparts to take this work forward,” Ms Delahunty said.
The full Statement is available here.
Signatories (as of 10 June 2026):
- Airbus
- Alliance Minerais, Minéraux, Métaux (A3M)
- Appian Capital Advisory
- ASFA
- Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation
- Australian Strategic Materials
- BMO Financial Group
- BNP Paribas
- BPCE
- Business 7 (BDI – Federation of German Industries, BusinessEurope, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry, Confindustria, Keidanren, MEDEF, U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
- Caisse des Dépôts
- Carester
- DEMEA Sustainable Investment
- Eramet
- Fireweed Metals
- Goldman Sachs
- Ivanhoe Atlantic
- Imerys
- JP Morgan
- Lithium de France (groupe Arverne)
- MagREEsource
- Minerali Industriali
- Northern Graphite
- Neptune Energy GmbH & Co. KG
- Orano
- Prisma Capital
- Rothschild & Co
- Siemens Energy AG
- Société Générale
- Solvay
- USA Rare Earth
- Viridis
For further information, please contact:
Scott Roberts, ASFA Media Lead
mediaunit@superannuation.asn.au
About ASFA
ASFA is the peak policy, research and advocacy body for Australia’s superannuation industry, and the only industry body that represents all parts of the APRA-regulated system.
Our more than 100 members include retail, industry, corporate and public sector funds and their service providers. For over sixty years, ASFA has been the voice of super, advocating for a dignified retirement for all Australians. Through research, advocacy and collaboration, ASFA promotes efficiency, sustainability and trust in Australia’s world-class retirement income system.