Good morning, this is Paula. As the US and China compete for control of critical minerals key to AI, defence and the energy transition, developing countries are rewriting their own policies and definitions to avoid a repeat of the past.
Earlier this week, government representatives, mining executives and civil society met at the UN in Geneva to exchange notes at the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining’s annual meeting.
With many resource-rich countries under pressure to sign quick deals with the world’s superpowers, experts warn that they may come at a high cost to communities. |
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Steam rises from PT Vale Indonesia's nickel processing plant in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, 12 September 2023. (Keystone/AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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In Geneva, across the lake from some of the world’s most consequential commodity trading firms, government authorities, international organisations, mining officials and civil society members met at the Palais des Nations this week to exchange notes on building sustainable mineral supply chains as the race for critical minerals heats up.
With geopolitical tensions increasingly centred on control over mineral production and sourcing, resource-rich countries have faced immense pressure from global powers to conclude quick deals, risking a repeat of the historic imbalances.
Earlier this year, the US proposed a $2 billion health aid deal with Zambia, tying it to access to the country’s minerals, before dropping the condition in an agreement signed earlier this month. Lusaka says it is negotiating a separate deal on minerals.
“The speed of these deals can often come at the cost of scrutiny,” Alex Malden, policy manager and anti-corruption lead at the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative, told delegates at the annual meeting of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining. He added that agreements often involve a small number of parties and fail to consider environmental and social impact assessments, as well as conflicts in mining-affected communities.
Read the full story at Geneva Solutions
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Here's what else is happening
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💼Wef could appoint Lagarde as early as November, sources say.
Sources at the World Economic Forum said Christine Lagarde may have to step down early as head of the European Central Bank, a year before her term was scheduled to end. The board next meets on 2 November.
Reuters (EN)
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🗳️ The UN corridor rumours hanging over the secretary general race.
Speculation around today’s outcome of the colour-coded straw poll by anonymous sources say that although Grynspan has been leading the way, the US and several elected members cast may discourage votes against her. Experts also add that the process might not fully eliminate a candidate.
PassBlue (EN)
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🌍 As pandemic risks escalate, global monitoring board calls for new oversight.
The call comes as a comprehensive review of global health reforms by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, presented at the World Health Summit on Monday, revealed that nearly 70 per cent of recommendations designed to safeguard the world have stalled or progressed too slowly.
Health Policy Watch (EN)
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🇺🇳UN peacekeeping chief says major questions hang over southern Lebanon as UNIFIL exists near.
The mission’s mandate is due to expire at the end of the year, according to a 2025 Security Council vote.
Associated Press (EN)
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🇮🇷Fariba Adelkhah: Iranian women have never given up the fight.
The French-Iranian anthropologist, imprisoned for four years in Tehran – an experience she recounted in her book, Prisoner in Tehran – calls for the Woman, Life, Freedom movement to be placed within a longer historical context. She spoke to Le Temps ahead of a lecture at the University of Geneva last Tuesday.
Le Temps🔒 (FR)
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