The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2025 convened global leaders, policymakers, and experts to address pressing international security concerns, emphasizing the challenges of a shifting geopolitical landscape. The theme was the increasing fragmentation of global power and the urgent need for cooperation in an era of “Multipolarization”. Among the key areas of discussion were climate security and the geopolitical role of critical minerals, which have become integral to economic resilience and global security.
Climate security was a recurring focus, particularly regarding the need to shift from reactive crisis management to proactive policies that integrate environmental risks into security frameworks. Leaders stressed the urgency of climate action, especially in vulnerable regions already experiencing severe climate-related disruptions. They highlighted how extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and resource scarcity exacerbate instability in fragile states, leading to increased displacement and conflict. Calls for stronger international cooperation emphasized the necessity of integrating climate security into global governance structures, with particular attention to climate finance for developing nations.
A critical conversation also revolved around the strategic importance of critical minerals, essential for renewable energy infrastructure and high-tech industries. With demand for these minerals expected to rise by 500% by 2050, discussions underscored the geopolitical implications of mineral supply chains and the risks of over-reliance on a few dominant suppliers. There was broad agreement on the need for fair and sustainable extraction practices, ensuring that resource-rich nations—particularly those in the Global South—receive equitable benefits rather than becoming sites of exploitation. The need for international regulations to prevent market monopolization and ensure ethical labour and environmental standards was also emphasized.
The Center for Climate and Security (CCS) hosted two side events addressing climate security challenges. In partnership with NATO's Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence, one event focused on how militaries can adapt to climate hazards, including stronger storms and melting Arctic ice. Discussions highlighted the necessity for armed forces to prepare for and respond to climate-induced threats, ensuring operational readiness in increasingly volatile environments. Another event, co-organized with the UN World Food Programme, examined the links between hunger, climate change, and sustainable security, emphasizing the importance of integrating food security into broader security policies.
A particularly contentious issue was the U.S.-Ukraine negotiations on rare earth minerals, where the U.S. proposed granting Ukraine security guarantees in exchange for access to its mineral reserves. However, Ukrainian leadership expressed concerns over sovereignty and the lack of explicit defence commitments in return. The episode underscored broader tensions over how mineral-rich nations should leverage their resources in the context of international security.
In conclusion, MSC 2025 highlighted the urgent need for multilateral approaches to address climate security and critical mineral governance. The discussions reinforced that sustainable solutions require strategic cooperation, diversified supply chains, and ethical resource management to ensure long-term stability. The conference outcomes pointed toward the necessity of institutional reforms to integrate climate risks into security frameworks, increased investment in sustainable energy infrastructure, and greater economic fairness in the global distribution of critical resources. The challenge now lies in translating these discussions into tangible international policies that uphold security and sustainability in an increasingly multipolar world.
See below for our past coverage of Climate Security developments at the Munich Security Conference:
Climate Security at the Munich Security Conference | Planetary Security Initiative
This article was written by PSI’s Akanksha Singh.