The fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4), which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 11-15 March 2019 adopted the UNEA Resolution No. UNEP/EA.4/Res. 19 on Mineral Resource Governance. It promotes the collection of information on sustainable mineral resource practices and identification of knowledge gaps and options for the implementation strategies of metal and mineral resources. It also calls for the creation of an overview of existing assessments for different governance initiatives and approaches.
The extractive sector presents enormous opportunities and challenges for advancing sustainable development, particularly in low-income countries. Decision-making in this sector is shaped by a complex array of governance frameworks and initiatives operating along highly globalized mineral value chains.
There is an urgent need to coordinate and reform this governance landscape to address enduring challenges such as commodity price volatility, lack of linkages between mining and other economic sectors, inadequate management of environmental impact, and socio- and geo-political risks of mining.