APNI, PNIA Forge Strategic Partnership to Promote Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development
The Asosiasi Penambang Nikel Indonesia (APNI), or Indonesia Nickel Miners Association and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) recently signed a partnership agreement aimed at deepening cooperation across the nickel value chain. The move comes as secure, responsibly sourced critical minerals become increasingly central to the global energy transition.
The partnership brings together industry leaders from Indonesia and the Philippines, the world’s top nickel-producing countries, to set a shared direction for investment confidence, policy dialogue, and responsible mining that supports the future of energy and sustainable growth.
The signing ceremony was hosted by PNIA’s academic partner, the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), and attended by APNI Chairman Komjen Pol. (Purn) Drs. Nanan Soekarna and PNIA Chairman Antonio L. Co. The event was also witnessed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna; Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo; DENR–MGB Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Engr. Michael V. Cabalda; UA&P President Atty. John Philip Yeung; APNI Secretary General Meidy Lengkey; APNI Deputy Secretary Sucianti Saenong; and APNI Advisory Board Member Djokno Widajatno Soewanto.
PNIA Executive Director Charmaine Olea-Capili emphasized that the partnership aligns with the ASEAN Principles for Sustainable Minerals Development, adopted by ASEAN Ministers responsible for minerals development on October 2, 2025, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Principles recognize the critical role of minerals in supporting strategic sectors such as energy, mobility, infrastructure, and the green and digital transitions. They call for coordinated regional efforts to uphold high standards of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and good governance to build public trust and investor confidence.
“While this partnership was initiated by industry, we were deliberate in ensuring our cooperation is anchored in and responsive to ASEAN’s direction,” Olea-Capili said. “We identified five collaboration pillars to translate those regional principles into practical industry action: sharing data and policy perspectives; creating platforms for industry dialogue; facilitating learning and exposure; supporting capability, human capital, and ESG development; and ensuring cooperation remains adaptive as priorities evolve.”
She further explained that the partnership is guided by a common agenda across several priority areas: governance and regulatory coherence; ESG, EITI, and Sustainable Development Goals alignment; investment promotion and value-adding minerals; human capital and talent development; and community development and social acceptance. These pillars provide a framework for how the industry collectively engages governments, investors, peers, and host communities across the nickel value chain.
“These priorities send a clear signal to investors, governments, and other stakeholders about the direction of our industries,” Olea-Capili said. “They demonstrate that APNI and PNIA are committed to building a nickel value chain within the IndoPhil Nickel Corridor that stakeholders can trust to support the energy transition, deliver shared prosperity, and earn long-term credibility.”
IndoPhil Nickel Corridor as a Platform for Regional Nickel Leadership
An immediate outcome of the APNI–PNIA partnership is the promotion of the IndoPhil Nickel Corridor as a platform highlighting the regional significance of Indonesian and Philippine nickel. The initiative aims to support investment, policy coordination, and the global energy transition.
“The Corridor signals that Philippine and Indonesian nickel is developed with clear standards and accountability,” Olea-Capili said.
From Framework to Action
With the partnership formalized, APNI and PNIA will advance implementation through technical working meetings, stakeholder engagement rounds in Indonesia and the Philippines, reciprocal mine visits, and joint learning sessions—turning shared priorities into concrete actions.
“This is where plans meet practice,” Olea-Capili said. “We invite government partners, investors, communities, and other stakeholders to join us. Responsible nickel development must support not only the global energy transition but also deliver tangible benefits to communities on the ground. APNI and PNIA remain committed to listening, engaging, and ensuring this cooperation continues to build trust.”
