Summary
Representatives of member countries of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) took part in a one-day intergovernmental workshop on 16 October 2017, opening a week of events that will include the IGF’s Annual General Meeting at UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Glenn Gemerts, IGF Executive Committee Chair, welcomed delegates on Monday morning, noting the growth of the IGF over the year to 61 members, and new member countries who had joined over the past year - Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Liberia, Somalia, and South Sudan. Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat, reported on the Secretariat’s activities, including the organization of regional forums, training and capacity building events, which have supported some countries in drafting their own mining laws. The Secretariat invited delegates’ views on the mine closure checklist developed by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and mentioned its preparations to pilot implementation in Papua New Guinea.
Delegates took part in a workshop session on regional priorities in the morning, and on trends and emerging issues regarding mining code and regulations in the afternoon. They attended a networking lunch at mid-day.
In report-backs on regional priorities, countries shared their experiences of revising their respective mining codes, and noted various objectives including: optimizing income to the state; increasing transparency, stability and ease of doing business; regulating artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM); ensuring that local communities experience benefits from mining operations; and directing proceeds to building necessary infrastructure and undertaking projects for people’s wellbeing.
Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Jerry Ahadjie, IGF Executive Committee facilitated a consultation on the Local Content Policy Guidance document at the end of the day.
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Photos by IISD/ENB+ | Sean Wu
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Plenary: Executive Committee and Secretariat Updates
Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat, and Glenn Gemerts, IGF Executive Committee
Matthew Bliss, Deputy Director, IGF Secretariat
Hilary Morgan, Director of International Affairs and Trade Directorate, Lands & Minerals Sector, Natural Resources Canada
Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, Minister of Petroleum and Mining, Somalia
A view of the room during the morning plenary
Workshop 1: Facilitated Discussions on Regional Priorities
Workshop 2: Trends and Emerging Issues Regarding Mining
Code and Regulations
(L-R) Clémence Naré, Outreach and Engagement Manager, IGF Secretariat; Howard Mann, IGF Secretariat; Marina Ruete, IISD; Glenn Gemerts, IGF Executive Committee; and Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat
Howard Mann, IGF Secretariat
Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat
Delegates during the afternoon workshop session
A view of the room during the afternoon session
Consultation on Local Content Policy Guidance Document
Jerry Ahadjie, IGF Executive Committee
Aaron Cosbey, IISD
(L-R) Aaron Cosbey, IISD; Jerry Ahadjie, IGF Executive Committee; Isabelle Ramdoo, Senior Linkages and Investment Advisor, African Minerals Development Centre/ UNECA; Glenn Gemerts, IGF Executive Committee; and Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat
Delegates listening through the interpretation headsets
Around the Venue
