Remarks by Ambassador Timo Olkkonen at the Regional Forum of the ICGLR on Value Addition and Cross Border Trade of Minerals

In line with the European Green Deal designed to promote climate and environment friendly economic growth, we are engaging with all countries of the Great Lakes Region seeking to develop and implement a fair, open and rules-based trade and investment agenda. And it is within this framework that we contribute to the development of the ICGLR intra-regional mechanism for the management and sustainable governance of natural resources value chains, actively encouraging the passage from trafficking to a legitimate commerce-based economy. The engagement and commitment of all countries in the region is needed to responsibly seize the potential of the great lakes' mineral wealth for the long-term benefit of the populations.

In today's multi-polar world characterized by unseen levels of conflict and intense global demand for critical raw materials, there is ever bigger momentum for regional partnerships governed by common interest and mutual trust that allow pursuing ambitious objectives such as the development of regionally integrated mineral value chains for economic growth. The ICGLR has proven a forum for the partnership of all 12 Great Lakes Countries for peace and prosperity; and specifically, the ICGLR Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources has proven to be an excellent mechanism for advancing mineral resource governance in the Great Lakes Region. It is providing partner countries with strong capacity to valorise formalized management of artisanal mineral resources, to apply strategies and best practice models for above-board trade of minerals and to implement efficient and effective certification systems and procedures. As we all know, there is however still lot to be done to tackle the scourges afflicting this sector: amongst them corruption, smuggling, tax evasion, human rights and labour conditions, and not least fuelling of conflicts with its proceeds. Further efforts are required.

Regional cooperation is essential for developing integrated mineral-based industries in sub-Saharan Africa. Only by harmonizing policies, infrastructure, and trade practices, as well as adhering to international frameworks for transparency and integrity such as Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and Financial Action Task Forces (FATF) Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) framework, ICGLR Member States can create competitive mineral supply chains that are regionally integrated, thus paving the way to common lasting solutions for the region and its people. In this regard, I would like to recall the 2010 Lusaka Declaration and its commitments to EITI and call our host country of South Sudan to join the initiative.

The ICGLR's efforts remind me of the very first beginnings of the European Union, some 70 years ago, when a few European leaders had the intelligence and courage to pool the management of carbon and steel - then the pillars of European economy -, as a means to prevent conflict and enhance the region's economic growth. While it was not easy, some ingredients were key to the success of the EU that lasts until today: unwavering belief in the partnership, mutual trust, strong leadership, a common vision, the acknowledgement of each the countries' legitimate interests, and a lot of pragmatisms.

But I would also like to share another important consideration that goes beyond regional economic integration. The key for the success of the European Union has been our joint commitment to the transparent management of financial resources, a solid business and investment enabling environment built on rule of law, and importantly, the investment in public services that ensure that the wealth generated is shared across all populations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I encourage you to set ambitious recommendations for ending the illegal exploitation of natural resources. By setting ambitious goals for setting-up regionally integrated mineral resources value chain that are sustainable and which benefits the people and countries of the region, you can jointly contribute to peace, stability and prosperity for the Great Lakes region. What is important that these recommendations will then feed member state policies and more importantly be translated into action.

I thank you.