Philippines, Israel pursue critical minerals, AI cooperation

The Philippines and Israel are moving to deepen strategic cooperation on critical minerals processing and artificial intelligence development under the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, the Department of Trade and Industry said.

DTI Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Dr. Ceferino Rodolfo met with Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Eden Bar Tal to discuss possible areas of collaboration involving critical minerals frameworks and the AI technology ecosystem.

The meeting followed the Philippines’ recent accession to the Pax Silica alliance and the announcement of a partnership with the United States to establish a 4,000-acre AI-native industrial acceleration hub in Luzon.

The planned hub is part of a broader effort to strengthen supply chains for AI, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, computing, and data infrastructure, according to Reuters and U.S. government statements.

Critical minerals are essential to the semiconductor supply chain because they provide raw materials needed for microchips, advanced processors, and other hardware that power AI systems.

Bar Tal chairs the governmental steering committee tasked with developing Israel’s national strategy on critical minerals.

Both sides discussed how Israel’s advanced mining, water, and environmental technologies could help strengthen the Philippines’ processing and refining of key minerals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt.

The talks focused on helping the Philippines move up the value chain by building higher-value industries and products from its mineral resources.

The two sides also explored a possible bilateral memorandum of understanding on critical minerals cooperation.

The proposed MOU could cover mineral processing, research and development, and ways to leverage the Philippines’ semiconductor and microchip manufacturing sector to support AI development.

DTI said the discussions highlighted the complementarity between the Philippines’ mineral resources and skilled workforce and Israel’s technology and innovation capabilities.

The engagement comes as countries seek more secure and diversified supply chains for semiconductors and AI-related technologies amid geopolitical competition and rising demand for advanced computing.

Rodolfo is in the region to participate in an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development critical minerals forum and visit countries in the Pax Silica alliance.

While in Israel, Rodolfo is also scheduled to meet officials from Israel’s Trade Ministry, the Israel National AI Directorate, the Israel Innovation Authority, and key partners in Israel’s trade and high-tech sectors.