Mr. President, 

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Colleagues,

I am honoured to be part of this high level opening panel of this special session of the Economic and Social Council. I would like to thank Botswana for organising this meeting and for sharing the wealth of their experience on managing natural resources in a sustainable and inclusive manner. I am looking forward to this afternoon filled with discussions on sustainable use of natural resources and their potential to prevent conflicts, enhance welfare of our societies and sustain peace. I am also pleased to see representatives of civil society and the industry.

Strife over access, control and exploitation of natural resources is widely recognized as a distinct cause of conflict, which poses a threat to national, regional, and international peace and security. In this regard, the Kimberley Process certainly stands out as a positive example of the change that decisive action by the international community can achieve. The KP has also sparked a debate on responsibility in sourcing of natural resources more broadly, and inspired several other initiatives in natural resource and conflict mineral governance. The EU’s Conflict Minerals Regulation, for instance, requires all EU importers of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold to carry out due diligence on their supply chain.  The Commission has also launched an initiative on Sustainable Corporate Governance to foster long-term sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour.

If well managed, natural resources have the potential to be the source of inclusive economic growth, resilience and peace. In this regard, let me here point out the importance of multistakeholder approach, transparency, fair distribution of wealth from natural resources, inclusive decision making, respect for human rights and protection of the environment.

Everyone in this room understands that issues like this can only be tackled in partnership, in cooperation: Partnerships between governments and local communities, between the private sector and the civil society. For the EU, the cornerstone for the success of the KP has always been its unique tripartite structure, bringing together governments, industry and civil society. The role of the civil society in the decision making on management of natural resources is crucial. Without effective participation of civil society, representing communities and individuals, the legitimacy and transparency are at risk. It is our role to create the space for civil society to have this central role and to be heard. This is very much valid also for the Kimberley Process and we believe that the tripartite structure needs to be reinforced. 

Multistakeholder approach goes hand in hand with ensuring transparency and zero tolerance corruption. It provides the necessary checks, brings light to corrupt practices and a push for accountability. Corruption hinders fair division of wealth from natural resources and decreases efficiency in sustainable resource management and use. Within the Kimberley process, our efforts to fight corrupt practices and lack of transparency need to be enhanced.

Inclusive decision making on management of land and natural resources as well as the distribution of benefits stemming from these resources are critical. Also during the EU Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process in 2018 we placed special emphasis on local communities and how diamonds can lift them out of poverty. Mining communities must be able to enjoy the benefits of their natural resources in peace and full respect of their fundamental rights and their environment. Artisanal mining, when conducted in an informed and responsible manner, has the potential to lift men and women, families and communities, out of poverty. However, it is also faced with a number of challenges, which need to be further tackled and we believe that in the case of diamonds, the Kimberley Process is the right platform for addressing them.  

Environmental challenges related to mining is another key matter to address when talking about sustainable management and use of natural resources, including diamonds. The environmental and safety risks for miners and their communities needs to be mitigated. We need to better protect the affected environment and biodiversity.

The EU has been supporting a number of projects with focus on artisanal mining and actively supports regional cooperation in the Mano River Union (Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone) to strengthen the rule of law to fight smuggling, and encourages similar cooperation in the central African region.

The Kimberley process was established almost 20 years ago and we have come a long way since then. The trafficking of conflict diamonds has dropped. Diamonds that used to finance the war economy have largely become an integral part of the peace economy. The Kimberley process has also helped to change global and local attitudes, reinforcing the idea that natural resources belong to mining communities, not militias.

The European Union has been at the forefront of the Kimberley Process since the very beginning, and is proud of what has been achieved since its launch in 2003. In this context we are also happy to support the proposal of Austria of hosting the Kimberley Process Secretariat. The EU, EU Member States and Austria are deeply committed to the success of the Kimberley Process and thus we support a cost-effective, neutral, lean and efficient Secretariat of the Kimberley Process.

The Kimberley Process stands out as an example of the positive change the international community can bring about when we work together towards a common objective.  However, we must continue to work to reform the Kimberley Process. We need to make sure that it remains fit for purpose - by reinforcing its tripartite structure, broadening its scope, strengthening its implementation and effectiveness, as well as focusing on human conditions in mining and the prosperity of producing communities. We trust that Botswana will dedicate their best efforts in addressing these issues throughout 2022 and we are ready to support the Botswanan Chairmanship in this endeavour.

We believe that natural resources should serve local communities, not private armies and criminal groups. Within the Kimberley Process, we must continue to work to make sure that natural resources do not finance war, or human rights abuses, but are a source of sustainable and inclusive growth, and peaceful societies. That why in this context I cannot but condemn the aggression of one Kimberley Process Participant against another. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against an independent and sovereign State is appalling and has devastating consequences, which continue to unfold. It is a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter which undermines global security and stability. Russia must cease its military aggression and withdraw its troops. We stand by the people of Ukraine and its democratically elected institutions.

We are looking forward to working together towards a Kimberley process that can ensure that natural resources contribute to sustainable development and peace.

Thank you.