Natural Resources, Peaceful Societies and Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Kimberley Process

The President of the Economic and Social Council, H.E. Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, convened a Special Meeting of the Council on “Natural Resources, Peaceful Societies and Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Kimberley Process”. The meeting took place in person from 3 to 6 p.m. on 18 March 2022 at the UN Headquarters.

The meeting addressed natural resources, peaceful societies and sustainable development with a focus on lessons from the Kimberley process. It reflected on ways to address illegal exploitation and illicit trade of natural resources and their role in fueling and financing conflicts. The meeting also focused on the interlinkages between natural resources and other SDGs, and the potential of better natural resource management for peaceful societies and sustainable development. The meeting further explored the implications for job creation, inclusive economic growth, revenue generation, food security, reducing inequalities, and environmental sustainability.

• Presidential Statement 
• Programme
• Concept note
• Statements
  • H.E. Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of the Economic and Social Council [Opening remarks, Closing statement]
  • H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly
  • H.E. Mr. Mohamed Issa Abushahab, President of the Security Council (March)
  • H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC)
  • Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme on behalf of H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
  • H.E. Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana
  • H.E. Dr. Festus Mogae, Former President of the Republic of Botswana
  • H.E. Mr. Oumar Sarr, Minister of Mining and Geology of Senegal, on behalf of H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President of Senegal and Chair of the African Union
  • H.E. Mr. Silvio Gonzato, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations
  • H.E. Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, Minister of Minerals of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chair of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA)
  • H.E. Ambassador João Samuel Caholo, Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)
  • Ms Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) on behalf of the UN regional commissions
  • Mr. Alexey Moiseev, Deputy Minister of Finance, Outgoing Chair, Kimberley Process, Russian Federation (prerecorded video message)
  • Mr. Jacob Thamage, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Mineral Resources, Coordinator of Diamond Hub, and Incoming Chair of Kimberley Process, Botswana
  • Dr. Michel Yoboue, Coordinator of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition
  • Mr. Stephen D’Esposito, President and the Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) at RESOLVE
  • Mr. Edward Asscher, President, World Diamond Council (WDC)
  • Ms. Léonnie Kandolo, Representative, FemWise-Africa
  • Interventions by Member States