The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) will convene from 7 – 10 October in Geneva, Switzerland. Government delegates will meet at an intergovernmental workshop on 7 October, and the Forum’s 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place from 8-10 October.
The theme of the 2019 meeting is ‘Mining in a Changing Climate.’ The AGM will explore low-carbon trends in the mining sector and the policy implications for governments. Discussions will examine measures to address adaptation and mitigation in the mining sector, including through reprocessing of mine tailings, integrating greater use of renewable energy, and developing ‘green mines’ for the future. The final day will feature a session on the future of work in mines, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The AGM provides a common platform for member states, many of which are developing countries, to share their experiences and common concerns in areas including management of the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, mining revenue collection, and resource taxation.
The IGF was an outcome of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa. It currently has 73 member countries. The Forum’s purpose is to improve resource governance and develop the role of mining as a driver of sustainable development, through limiting the negative impacts of mining and sharing its financial benefits. The IGF supports its members through conducting in-country assessments and providing capacity building and technical assistance, and promoting good practice and stakeholder engagement.
The Government of Canada funds the IGF and previously hosted its secretariat at Global Affairs Canada. In 2015 the secretariat moved from this government department to the offices of a global research organization, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in Winnipeg, Canada. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) co-hosts the annual meetings of the IGF in Geneva. The World Bank, World Economic Forum (WEF), World Gold Council (WGC), International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) participate in IGF activities.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ meeting coverage, has provided daily digital coverage, daily reports, and a summary report from the 2019 AGM. The summary report is available in HTML and PDF.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis
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