The 9th Ordinary Meeting of Ministers in charge of Mines of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) ended in Kinshasa with a renewed call to strengthen the responsible governance of mineral resources, considered as an essential lever for peace and sustainable development in the region.
Held in the framework of forthcoming Summit of Heads of State of the ICGLR, the meeting brought together Ministers of Member States to assess the progress made in the implementation of the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (IRRN) and to harmonize regional actions around the theme of the Summit: “Consolidating Peace and Security for Sustainable Development in the Great Lakes Region.”
The discussions highlighted the persistent link between illegal mining and insecurity, particularly in eastern DRC and Sudan. Ministers called for strengthening cross-border cooperation and law enforcement mechanisms to dismantle smuggling networks and ensure the integrity of regional mining trade.
Our common commitment is to transform the mineral wealth of the Great Lakes region, a source of conflict, into a foundation of peace and prosperity, said Ambassador João Samuel Caholo, Executive Secretary of the ICGLR.
The meeting also encouraged Member States to promote local development, processing and responsible cross-border trade to ensure that mineral resources directly benefit communities and support inclusive development. The Kinshasa outcomes will serve as the basis for the deliberations of the ICGLR Heads of State Summit, where leaders will reaffirm their political will to consolidate peace, stability and sustainable governance of natural resources.