“We are here to respond to an important challenge: turning the energy transition towards justice,” the UN said Secretary General António GuterresAsk participants at a roundtable discussion to consider their work Workshop on key energy transition minerals.
control panel launched last year In COP28 in the United Arab Emirates with the aim of bringing together governments, international organisations, industry and civil society to develop common and voluntary principles to guide extractive industries “in the name of justice and sustainability”.
in BakuThe United Nations chief, who convened today’s event, said that the renewable energy revolution is continuing to grow. Last year – for the first time – the amount of investment in the grid and renewable energy surpassed the amount spent on fossil fuels.
Past mistakes and the rush of resources
Mr Guterres said demand for minerals critical to the transition is expected to soar – as governments triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 – as promise – and phase out fossil fuels.
“For developing countries with abundant resources, this is a huge opportunity: creating prosperity, eliminating poverty and promoting sustainable development. But this often does not happen,” he warned, adding: “We often see the mistakes of the past repeated in the fury of greed crushing the poor.”
We witness the race for resources, communities exploited, rights trampled and the environment destroyed – UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Indeed, the race for resources has led to the exploitation of local communities, the trampling of rights and the destruction of the environment. “We see developing countries at the bottom of the value chain, while other countries become rich thanks to their resources,” the UN chief said.
He said that it was in the context of this sad reality and the call for action from developing countries that the Panel had been established.
The Council’s latest report identifies seven voluntary principles and five actionable recommendations to ensure fairness and equity across critical minerals value chains.
“These aim to empower communities, create accountability and ensure that clean energy drives equitable and resilient growth. That includes promoting efforts to ensure maximum value addition in resource-rich developing countries,” the Secretary-General explained.
The United Nations system is working together to help implement the Panel’s findings, working with Member States and other stakeholders to establish recommendations Group of senior consulting experts to accelerate action on key economic issues, including benefit sharing, value addition and fair trade.
Developing countries are in the driver’s seat
The UN chief said developing countries will drive this process with the participation of indigenous peoples, local communities, youth, civil society, industry and unions along with governments at discussions.
“We will also continue to recommend a global traceability, transparency and accountability framework for the entire minerals value chain. This will help promote responsible production and protect human rights and the environment,” he added.
Mr. Guterres emphasized that all leaders – in government, industry and civil society – should engage with the United Nations and partners from developing countries, local communities and beyond. to complete this mission.
“As demand for key energy metabolism minerals soars, we must act. Together, let us make the transition towards justice and equality,” he said.
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