We promote the integration of environmental sustainability in the governance of the extractive sector.
The fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4), which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 11-15 March 2019 adopted the UNEA Resolution No. UNEP/EA.4/Res. 19 on Mineral Resource Governance. Among other things, the resolution requests UNEP to collect information on sustainable practices, identify knowledge gaps and options for implementation strategies, and undertake an overview of existing assessments of different governance initiatives and approaches on sustainable management of metal and mineral resources, and report to the fifth session of the UNEA (UNEA-5).
The implementation of this resolution involved the organization of sub-regional, regional, and global, consultations to obtain feedback on the governance of extractive industries, understand the political landscape as well as regional needs. More specifically, and as requested by the UNEA-4 resolution, the consultations also helped to identify best practices and knowledge gaps, assess governance options; and consider common elements of interest for next steps. More than 1,200 participants, comprising of governments (at different levels), UNEP Major Groups and Stakeholders, intergovernmental bodies and international organisations, industry practitioners, civil society, academia and think tanks, joined the consultations held from July to September 2020.
