The Zambian government has called for stronger regional cooperation among member states in the Great Lakes Region to combat the illegal exploitation of natural resources and ensure mineral wealth contributes to economic development and improved livelihoods.
Deputy Secretary to Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development, Siazongo Siakalenge, said the proposed revisions to the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR) would strengthen implementation and improve coordination among member states.
Siakalenge said this on Monday during the 10th Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Mines in the Great Lakes Region, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka.
He said the revisions would strengthen implementation of the initiative’s six tools, address existing challenges and enhance regional cooperation.
“The revised framework should go beyond mineral traceability and certification to promote local value addition, industrial development, employment creation and legitimate cross-border mineral trade,” Siakalenge said.
He emphasised that natural resources should be managed transparently and responsibly to ensure they deliver tangible economic benefits to citizens.
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Siakalenge said strengthening local participation in mineral value chains was critical to ensuring that communities in mining areas benefited through employment, business opportunities, skills development and improved livelihoods.
“Illegal mineral exploitation and illicit cross-border trade cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting in isolation,” he said.
He called for coordinated regional action, effective information sharing and stronger institutional capacity to curb illicit mineral trade.
“Government is committed to ensuring that mineral wealth translates into employment, business opportunities and improved livelihoods for communities in mining areas,” Siakalenge said.
The meeting is expected to consider and approve the second edition of the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, alongside a roadmap outlining implementation responsibilities, timelines and mechanisms for monitoring progress.
The revised framework is also intended to support peace, security and economic integration in the Great Lakes Region by promoting responsible mineral governance and creating shared economic opportunities among member states.
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