The panel was chaired by Mrs. Wajiha Haris, President of the Scheherazade Foundation. The discussion gathered distinguished experts and policymakers including Mr. Saleem H. Ali, Chair and Distinguished Professor of Geography at the University of Delaware (via VTC); Mr. Carl Bruch, Director of International Programs at the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), USA (via VTC) and Mr. Volodymyr Tsabal, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine.

The panel examined the strategic importance of critical minerals for Ukraine’s economic reconstruction and the strengthening of its relationships with international partners. The recently signed U.S.-Ukraine agreement on mineral resources was highlighted as a key step toward attracting investment, modernising infrastructure, and deepening U.S. engagement in support of Ukraine’s security. The discussions emphasised the need for a governance framework aligned with EU standards to mitigate risks related to corruption and instability. Additionally, attention was drawn to Russia’s intensified activity in the Arctic region, underscoring the need for closer international cooperation to prevent future conflicts.

Watch the live sessions on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/Ylk9fImjYeM?feature=share