New Delhi, July 23: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for justice in the value chains of natural resources. In a statement, Guterres emphasized the need to ensure that the development of minerals brings equitable and sustainable outcomes for resource-rich countries and local communities.
Guterres stated, “The time has come to end the old system where resource extraction occurs in one place, while the economic benefits flow elsewhere, leaving impoverished communities to grapple with environmental and socio-economic damages.”
During an open debate on the management of natural resources at the Security Council, Guterres highlighted the need to bridge the gap between a country’s recognized sovereignty over its natural resources and the actual sovereign rights exercised. He noted that this lack of sovereignty is most pronounced in Africa, asserting, “Countries and communities should benefit from the resources present in their own territories.”
According to a report by the Xinhua news agency, the UN chief discussed the importance of preventing illegal activities in mineral supply chains and enhancing transparency. He explained that natural resources are often mined in one country, transported through another, processed in a third, and ultimately sold in global markets. Therefore, effective action must not be limited to mining sites but should focus on the entire value chain.
Guterres stressed the necessity of collaboration among producer, transit, and consumer countries to address regulatory and enforcement gaps. He remarked, “International and regional organizations, financial institutions, and industries all play a crucial role. Together, they can help prevent illegally obtained resources from entering legitimate markets, which requires strong legal frameworks, better traceability, proper scrutiny, and information sharing.”
He further noted that the challenge lies in changing the methods of extracting, processing, bringing to market, and utilizing natural resources to ensure that producer countries and affected communities receive maximum value.
Guterres also highlighted the need to deprive armed groups and criminal networks of income derived from natural resources, as this income fuels long-lasting conflicts. He warned, “If we fail to act, illegal exploitation of natural resources will continue to promote inequality, instability, and violence. Instead, their management should be directed towards funding inclusive and sustainable development, strengthening institutions, and promoting peace and prosperity for all.”
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
