Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is making new commitments to advance energy security and strengthen critical minerals supply chains across the Indo-Pacific. At the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum (IPEM) in Tokyo, USTDA Deputy Director Thomas R. Hardy renewed its partnership agreement with the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), previewed the upcoming launch of USTDA’s U.S. Global Gas Initiative, and announced new funding commitments for critical minerals development and nuclear energy deployment in the region. USTDA is the principal sponsor of IPEM, which is co-hosted by the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

“America’s energy dominance is built on strong partnerships and the global demand for our technologies and resources,” said Deputy Director Hardy. “By strengthening critical minerals supply chains and laying the groundwork for advancing innovative U.S. solutions, we’re enabling our Indo-Pacific partners to diversify their energy sources, which is a driver for broad-based economic growth, while advancing our shared vision for a secure, prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

Deputy Director Hardy made the following commitments:

Indonesia: USTDA is funding a pilot project to support California-based Lilac Solutions, Inc. (Lilac) to demonstrate its technology at Indonesia’s state-owned geothermal developer PT Geo Dipa Energi (GDE) facilities. This will be Indonesia’s first facility to draw lithium from geothermal brine and will both create a trusted source for the supply of lithium and support a vital energy source for Indonesia.

Japan: USTDA and JBIC renewed their partnership to advance high-quality infrastructure in emerging markets worldwide, signing a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen collaboration on project preparation and financing, including on energy and critical minerals projects.

Regional Indo-Pacific: USTDA will bring Indo-Pacific energy leaders to the United States to view advanced U.S. small modular and microreactor nuclear technologies. These visits will help match regional needs with U.S. solutions and open key markets for American industry.

Worldwide: USTDA is launching a new U.S. Global Gas Initiative to unlock export opportunities for U.S. liquefied natural gas suppliers by accelerating the deployment of U.S. infrastructure solutions. The launch event will be held March 20 in Washington, DC.

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is the U.S. government’s first mover on critical infrastructure development in emerging markets, advancing the shared strategic priorities of the United States and our overseas partners while creating opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions. USTDA funds the upfront technical work that accelerates the development of infrastructure projects, helping them attract the financing they need for implementation and procurement of U.S. goods and services.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: press@ustda.gov