There has been a multiplicative of resource consumption – particularly in non-metal minerals like sand and gravel. The recycling rates are 1% for some precious metals which are used in innovative technologies (e.g. solar cells).^[1] Over the next decade, to accommodate demand, there is a need to improve the sustainability and responsibility of the extractive sector.

Resolution UNEP/EA.4/Res.19 requests the United Nations Environment Programme (“UNEP”) to, inter alia, 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 (February 2021). With this resolution, the UN Environment Assembly encourages the UN system, governments and other stakeholders to promote awareness about mineral resource governance and calls for due diligence along the supply chain, including the continuous increase of transparency. This is a call to action which is supported by the United Nations Environment Management Group (“EMG”).

In pursuance of the UNEA-4 resolution, UNEP initiated a process to engage governments, national, regional and global stakeholders through virtual consultations from July through October 2020. The consultations contributed to the implementation of the resolution and to consideration of future action on the topic. The consultations also assisted to create ownership of the outcomes of the process among all Member States. Additional information is available online.

The consultations sourced expert feedback on sustainable practices, knowledge gaps and options for implementation strategies in the mineral resource sector, and provided an opportunity to review existing assessments of different governance initiatives and approaches on sustainable management of mineral resources. The outcomes of the consultations will be presented and discussed during the EMG Nexus Dialogue on Mineral Resource Governance, held in collaboration with UNEP and with support from the Federal Office for the Environment (“FOEN”) from the Swiss Confederation. The Nexus Dialogue will support an outcome document which pursues the strategic implementation of the UNEA-4 resolution and will be presented to UNEA-5.

The main objectives of this Dialogue are to:

• Present Key Policy Messages and Best Practices: Presenting trends and findings from the recent expert reports on mineral resource governance on current governance frameworks of key issues;
• Share Outcomes and Recommendations: Share the outcomes and recommendations from the regional consultations to support the strategic implementation of the UNEA-4 resolution by UNEP, and;
• Discuss and Assess Capacity Gaps: Discuss gaps on good governance across key mineral value chains (i.e. extraction and processing) and explore opportunities and next steps within the UN system and intergovernmental processes to address them.

Final Concept Note and Agenda

Full Video Recording of the Nexus Dialogue

Outcome Document