Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King has wrapped up a series of high-level meetings with Indo-Pacific partners aimed at boosting cooperation on regional energy security while safeguarding Australia’s domestic energy needs.
Over the weekend, Minister King attended the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum in Japan, where she engaged in bilateral talks with counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, New Zealand, and Timor-Leste.
Discussions focused on maintaining a stable, secure, and sustainable regional energy system amid growing global supply pressures.
Minister King said all participating nations recognised the value of interdependence in ensuring energy reliability and supporting economic growth across the region.
“In meetings with Ministers across the Indo-Pacific, I underlined the important role Australia plays to support energy security that underpins regional economic stability and growth,” Minister King said.
“I told Australia’s partners that measures to secure our domestic gas supplies won’t harm investment or alter existing energy contracts, and made clear that it is a priority for the Australian government that Australians have access to affordable gas.
“Global supply chains and energy security challenges cannot be solved by any one country alone, and coordinated action and shared solutions are the best way to solve problems.”
Minister King’s discussions came as energy-importing nations continue to balance the transition to cleaner sources with the need for reliable fuel supplies.
Australia’s LNG exports play a crucial role in meeting demand, particularly in Japan and South Korea, while its emerging critical minerals sector is expected to underpin the global clean energy shift.
A key engagement during the forum was her Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting with US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
The two leaders reviewed progress under the Australia–US Critical Minerals Framework, which was signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Donald Trump last October.
The agreement seeks to strengthen supply chains for essential materials needed in low-emissions technologies, including batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines.
The talks also covered opportunities for increased US investment in Australian mining and processing projects.
Minister King also held one-on-one meetings with Japan’s Minister for Economy, Trade and Investment Ryosei Akazawa; the Republic of Korea’s Minister for Trade, Industry and Resources Dr Jung-kwan Kim; Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Energy and Science and Technology Dr Tan See Leng; Timor-Leste’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Francisco da Costa Monteiro; and New Zealand’s Minister for Energy Simon Watts.
Her engagements underscored Australia’s efforts to build stronger regional partnerships and ensure that cooperation on energy security supports both economic resilience and the global transition to cleaner energy systems.
The Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum convened government leaders, business executives, and investors to chart a path toward secure, affordable, and sustainable energy supply across the region.
