Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Saša Jurečko at UNSC Arria-formula meeting titled “the Global Race for Critical Minerals: Addressing Resource-Driven Insecurity in Africa”

Thank you Chair,

We would like to thank Sierra Leone and the co-sponsors for organizing today’s Arria-formula meeting. In response to today’s valuable briefings, Slovenia would like to offer three main messages:

First, the global trends in economic and population growth, and digital and green transition are driving the growing demand for natural resources, posing both risks and opportunities for the African continent. Time and again, we have seen how such surges in demand have caused great harm to the nations and communities living above these riches. Diamonds in the Coast of Guinea, critical minerals in the Great Lakes region, gold across the Sahel have too often led to suffering of the local populations and fuelled conflict, displacement and insecurity.

On the other hand, the continent’s natural resources present a key opportunity for economic development and poverty alleviation. This goes hand in hand with giving priority to environmental sustainability and respect for human rights in the supply chain and ensuring that the green transition is also just.

Member States and the private sector alike bear the responsibility to assess risks throughout the value chain and the life cycle of critical minerals and take effective measures to prevent and mitigate such risks.

We cannot allow the negative effects to overshadow the benefits of the global green and digital transition. And just as the world came together to say no to blood diamonds, we must now find a way to collectively say no to blood batteries.

Second, with the African continent holding immense strategic reserves of critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, decisive action is needed by African nations, regional bodies, and the international community.

We encourage the African Union and sub-regional organizations to intensify efforts to develop robust schemes and mechanisms for the sustainable, transparent, and equitable governance, management, and traceability of these resources. Equal participation in decision-making in the extractive sector is critical to address inequalities and ensure that the sector is managed in the interest of all citizens. This should include having environmental reporting in place and ensuring transparency from the ground to the market.

We stand ready to support Africa-led initiatives that promote inclusivity, cross-border transparency, and conflict-sensitive approaches, placing the well-being of local communities at the centre. Respect for human rights and adherence to environmental safeguards must be upheld in all operations.

The African Union’s Africa Mining Vision and regional certification mechanisms provide a strong foundation. However, truly transformative measures that include societal, economic, and security aspects, have been achieved when nations united around global mechanisms, such as the Kimberley Process.

Third, while the Security Council may not be positioned to address the issue in a comprehensive manner, it can meaningfully complement the existing intergovernmental mechanisms. The Council has previously recognized the link between the exploitation of natural resources and armed conflict, and it has contributed significantly to discussions on the role of diamonds and timber in fuelling conflicts.

Slovenia stands for coherent inclusion of equitable management of natural resources in peace agreements and active engagement in environmental peacebuilding that makes these agreements more durable and fairer.

In addition, a number of existing sanctions regimes in the Council’s toolbox already contain natural resources-related designation criteria, and could be further utilized.

Mr. Chair,

Finally, we are led by our shared obligation to respect, protect, and fulfil the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. We are concerned about the risks linked to the extraction of critical minerals. These include biodiversity loss, water insecurity, ocean degradation, climate impacts, and toxic pollution. We believe that making sure these minerals are sourced in a conflict-free and environmentally sustainable way has the potential to substantially contribute to a peaceful and sustainable development in Africa.

I thank you.

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