Economic and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific: Connection between Europe and East Asia
Economic and maritime security in Europe and East Asia hangs in the balance. The demand for critical raw materials (CRM) for the energy transition grows by the day. The smooth running of the world economy as well as the energy transition depends on the openness of increasingly contested Indo-Pacific waterways. Europe and East Asian democracies like Japan are vital players in the game to ensure economic and maritime security in their respective regions. Together with the Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands, the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) kindly invites you to take part in an online seminar on economic and maritime security. This event brings together experts from the EU, Japan and the US to discuss opportunities to enhance our joint economic and maritime security.
Panel 1
Title: Securing critical raw material supplies for the energy transition: Aligning European and Japanese policies to mitigate dependence on specific countries
Key question: How can European states/the EU and Japan align policies to mitigate critical raw material dependence on specific countries
The topic of Panel 1 is economic security, focusing on security of supply of critical raw materials for the energy transition. Demand for CRM is on the rise due to the ongoing energy transition. CRM have a fundamental role in the production of green technologies such as permanent magnets in wind turbines and solar panels. As a result: The price of CRM is constantly on the rise, while their availability decreases by the day. Europe and Japan should work together to establish resilient value chains for CRM while promoting economic security.
- Expert 1. Mr. Kotaro Shimizu, Chief Analyst, Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting
- Expert 2. Ms. Abigail Wulf, Vice President and Director, Center for Critical Minerals Strategy US SAFE
- Expert 3. Mr. Jeff Amrish Ritoe, Strategic Advisor and Energy Expert at HCSS
Panel 2
Title: Maintaining open waterways in the Indo-Pacific: Cooperation between Europe and Japan
Key question: How can European states and Japan cooperate to maintain freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific?
The topic of Panel 2 is maritime security, focusing on the waterways of the Indo-Pacific. More precisely, it will look at waterways over which critical raw materials, components and final products for the green transition and other goods are exported. These are hence the lifelines on which European and East Asian economic security depends, as well as of unmeasurable importance to the global economy.
- Expert 1. Mr. Masafumi Iida, Head, America, Europe, and Russia Division, Regional Studies Department, National Institute for Defence Studies
- Expert 2. Ms. Celine Pajon, Research Fellow Head of Japan Research
- Expert 3. Mr. Paul Van Hooft, Senior Strategic Analyst at HCSS and Chair of the HCSS Europe in the Indo-Pacific Hub
Event Details:
- Date and Time: 27th January 2022, 12:30 – 16:00 CET / 6:30 – 10:00 EST.
- Location: Online via Zoom.
- Sign up: Free, via Eventbrite.
Note: The Zoom details for this seminar will be shared a few days prior to the event. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us.
