On October 20, 2026, in Brussels, the European Commission and the Government of New Caledonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership in the field of sustainable raw material supply chains. The document provides for the development of cooperation between the parties in the extraction, processing, and supply of critical raw materials, which play a key role in the development of high-tech industries, including battery production and renewable energy sources. New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the Pacific Ocean, possesses significant reserves of nickel—one of the most important metals for battery production and the transition to a "green" economy. The partnership with the EU aims to diversify sources of raw material supplies for European industry and reduce dependence on a limited number of suppliers, primarily from China. Under the agreement, the parties intend to cooperate on environmental and social standards for mining, improving supply chain transparency, and attracting investments in sustainable production facilities. Such partnerships correspond to the European Union's overall strategy for ensuring access to critical raw materials, enshrined in the previously adopted Critical Raw Materials Act. The European Commission notes that similar agreements are being concluded with a number of countries and territories worldwide as part of a policy to strengthen economic security and supply chain resilience. New Caledonia becomes the next partner on this list, underscoring the EU's growing attention to the Pacific region as a source of strategically important resources.