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Secretary-General António Guterres said that the control and exploitation of natural resources are dramatically altering the causes, dynamics, and the outcomes of conflict. He reiterated, “No more exploitation. No more plundering.”
Speaking at a Security Council meeting on natural resources governance, Guterres stressed, “it is time to break the age-old pattern – where resources are extracted, value is captured elsewhere, and impoverished communities are left behind to cope with the environmental and socioeconomic damage.”:
He added, “it is time to close the gap between a State’s recognized sovereignty over its natural resources, and its sovereign rights in practice.”
The UN chief highlighted, “countries and communities must benefit – first and most – from the resources in their own backyard,” adding that the UN is supporting national authorities to “strengthen governance and institutions, improve regulatory frameworks, and ensure minerals contribute to development and peacebuilding.”
The Secretary-General outlined four urgent priorities for the way ahead: ensuring justice for countries and communities that have resources; curbing illicit flows and strengthening transparency across mineral supply chains; the peaceful settlement of disputes over natural resources; and taking climate analysis into account.
He said, “we must curb illicit flows and strengthen transparency across mineral supply chains. Natural resources are often extracted in one country, transported through another, processed elsewhere, and ultimately sold on global markets. Effective action must address the full value chain – not just the point of extraction.”
“Cooperation among producing, transit, and consuming States is vital in closing regulatory and enforcement gaps,” Guterres added.
The Secretary-General also underscored, “we must deny armed groups and criminal networks the revenues that fuel protracted conflicts. If we fail to act, the illicit exploitation of natural resources will continue to drive inequality, instability, and violence.”
Instead, he said, “they must be managed in ways that help finance inclusive and sustainable development, strengthen institutions, and advance peace and prosperity for all. Ultimately, this is a political choice.”