A general view of a nickel mining site and the processing plan operated by PT Vale Indonesia in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, 28 July 2023 (Keystone/EPA/Mast Irham)

In the critical mineral race, UN body highlights tools for fairer deals. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, access to critical minerals has become a new frontline in great power competition. Rules governing their extraction and management remain fragmented, but one UN agency says it has developed tools that may help bridge regulatory gaps.

Ati Gundiwa, a member of the Arhuaco indigenous community of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, speaks at the opening of the first conference on the transition beyond fossil fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia, 24 April 2026. (Keystone/EPA/Ricardo Maldonado Rozo)

⛽BREAKING UP WITH FOSSIL FUELS. The world's first conference dedicated to ditching fossil fuels is underway in Santa Marta. Triggered by a botched Cop30 in Belém – where oil producers walked back commitments at the last minute – the gathering brings together around 56 nations committed to the green transition, from oil-rich Canada and Norway to frontline states like Tuvalu.

Who’s in – and who’s out. Invitations were sent to 98 nations on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to phasing out fossil fuels. Coincidence or not, the US, China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia are not attending. Neither are the battalions of fossil fuel lobbyists who’ve turned Cops into networking events.

“We are not going to have boycotters or climate denialists at the table,” Colombian environment minister Irene Vélez-Torres told The Guardian.

Alternative diplomacy. The format is a stark departure from traditional UN conferences. No consensus required, no ratification vote, the co-organisers will publish an outcome report, while a new scientific panel will help governments build transition roadmaps.

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Back at home. Fossil fuels will also come into focus in Geneva this week, where the UN Economic Commission for Europe will host Resource Management Week. Coal and gas, a just transition, and clean alternatives like hydrogen are all on the agenda.

🏁LAST DITCH ATTEMPT. Health diplomats kick off today a final extended round of negotiations to try to wrap up the mechanics of a system for countries to share their pathogen data with pharma firms in exchange for the resulting benefits. The PABS system is the last remaining element needed for the pandemic treaty to be able to enter into force.

Déjà vu. But divisions have prevailed over the months, chiefly over whether financial benefits and access to vaccines and other products should be mandatory or voluntary and what the future contracts should contain. In a nutshell, developing countries want assurances that they will see those benefits. Developed countries want to keep things light, not to discourage innovation from the pharma industry.

Clock ticking. With less than a month to go before the World Health Assembly, where countries are meant to adopt an agreement, this week stands to be decisive.

— Michelle Langrand