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"In too many countries, a wealth of resources fail to translate into equivalent wealth for the people" / Der Reichtum an Ressourcen kommt nicht genügend bei den Menschen an


Am 19. Juni 2013 befasste sich der UN-Sicherheitsrat in einer ganztägigen Sitzung mit dem Zusammenhang von Ressourcen und Konflikten. Der Stellvertretende UN-Generalsekretär Jan Eliasson stellte in seinem einleitenden Beitrag fest, dass der Wert des natürlichen Reichtums an Holz, Öl, Kohle, Diamanten oder Edelmetallen vielfach nicht bei den Menschen ankommt, deren Länder über diese Reichtümer verfügen. Die Hauptverantwortung dafür trügen seiner Meinung nach die Regierungen. Extraktive Ressourcen müssten für die Bewohner eines Landes kein Fluch sein, sondern könnten zu deren Wohlstand und Entwicklung beitragen.

Im Folgenden dokumentieren wir

UN officials urge Governments to ensure natural resources fuel development, not conflict

 19 June 2013 – Governments bear the primary responsibility to ensure that natural resources do not fuel conflict by ensuring that land and mineral wealth are managed wisely, transparently and yield benefits for the people, senior United Nations officials stressed today in the Security Council.

“In too many countries, a wealth of resources – such as timber, oil, coal, diamonds and precious metals – fail to translate into equivalent wealth for the people,” said Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson in his remarks to the Council’s day-long thematic debate on conflict prevention and the extractive industries.

Instead, communities and individuals pay a terrible cost in terms of corruption, human rights abuses and environmental damage, he said, emphasizing: “The primary responsibility for preventing conflict and transparently and equitably managing resources lies with Governments.”

Mr. Eliasson noted that when managed properly, extractive resources do not need to be a ‘curse’ but can instead be the foundation for sustainable development and lasting peace.

“Political leaders are to ensure that extractive industries generate employment and tax revenues which support economic development and the provision of basic services,” he said. “And leaders are to be held accountable by national institutions which promote social cohesion and inclusion, based on rule of law and an independent judiciary.”

He added that while Governments play a central role in natural resource management, the private sector, civil society and international organizations are also important in ensuring the equitable, transparent and sustainable exploitation of extractive resources.

Mr. Eliasson highlighted examples of how the UN is working with Governments to prevent conflict related to resources. UN political and peacekeeping missions, for example, support dispute resolution through their rule of law programmes, which count with mediators with an expertise on natural resource issues.

In addition, the world body is working with financial institutions to develop capacity on taxation policies and regulations pertaining extractive industries to address the impact of inflation and currency fluctuations, Mr. Eliasson said.

“Ultimately, all parties need to recognize – and act upon – the links between poverty, inequality, conflict and sustainable development,” he said. “As demand for extractive resources increases, so will competition and rivalry. This must not lead to more violent conflicts in fragile nations but, rather, to cooperation and a sense of shared responsibility.”

In his capacity as Chairperson of the Africa Progress Panel, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the Council that conflict related to extractive resources is preventing many African countries from developing their full potential.

“For years, we have seen that natural resources have been a presence in – and at times a driver of – internal of regional conflicts in Africa,” Mr. Annan said.

He said that Africa has been benefiting from high demand for natural resource from China and other emerging markets, but warned that Governments must ensure the profits of this demand are invested in development and do not lead to tensions in the region.

“The starting point is for all countries to develop national strategies that set up the terms under which their natural resources will be developed, including fiscal policies, contractual arrangements and tax regimes,” he said.

“Above all, national strategies have to set out how the extractive sector fits with plans for poverty reduction, inclusive growth and social transformation.”

Mr. Annan also underlined the international community’s responsibility in creating a safe and transparent environment that encourages cross-border collaboration as well as environmental protection.

The Associate Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Rebecca Grynspan, outlined how the agency is helping countries such as Tanzania, Liberia and Sierra Leone to establish concrete actions plans and best practices to manage their resources.

The agency is working not just with Governments, but also with communities and civil society groups to diffuse tensions and address misunderstandings that could lead to conflict.

Managing Director of the World Bank Caroline Anstey also addressed the Council, and stressed the importance of transparency, and collaboration with the private sector.

Source: UN News Centre, 19 June 2013; http://www.un.org


New York, 19 June 2013 - Deputy Secretary-General's remarks at Security Council Thematic Open Debate on Conflict Prevention and the Extractive Industries

 Before I begin my remarks let me say a few words about the tragic events in Mogadishu today.

The Secretary-General and I were greatly saddened and shocked by the outrageous attack on the United Nations compound this morning in Mogadishu. Full details are still emerging, but we know that several people have died.

The Secretary-General and I express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our thoughts are with the United Nations staff and all those who have suffered through this tragedy. We remain committed to the principles of achieving peace and to keep Somalia on its path to recovery.

We thank the Government of Somalia and the African Union Mission in Somalia for their prompt response. I have just learnt that the Secretary-General and the President of Somalia have spoken.

Mr. President,
Excellencies,

This Council is well aware of the link between abundant extractive resources and conflict. In Sierra Leone, guns financed by blood diamonds and illegal timber are now silent. Liberia’s Charles Taylor is facing international justice. The scars of war are healing.

But, in too many countries, a wealth of resources – such as timber, oil, coal, diamonds and precious metals – fail to translate into equivalent wealth for the people. Instead, communities and individuals pay a terrible cost in terms of corruption, human rights abuses and environmental damage. Only a powerful few benefit. The result of this inequality – this injustice – is bitterness, mistrust and alienation. These are the precursors of conflict. This is the resource curse.

Yet, managed wisely, extractive resources can – and should – be the foundation for sustainable development and lasting peace. I therefore welcome Mr. President, this thematic open debate of the Council and the opportunity to outline how the United Nations system is working with Member States, the private sector and other partners to help transform the resource curse into a resource blessing.

Last month, the Secretary-General briefed the Council about his joint visit with World Bank President Dr. Jim Yong Kim to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda. Their message was clear. Peace, development and the rule of law go hand-in-hand.

That is why the Council and the United Nations system are supporting the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region. That is why the World Bank is investing heavily in the region and encourages business to follow.

The private sector is a key player in equitable, transparent and sustainable exploitation of extractive resources – from Botswana to Brazil; from Cambodia to Colombia; from Malaysia to Mozambique. But it is only one among a broad cast of actors. Civil society, national governments and international organizations have important roles. And, where conflict rages or is a distinct risk, the Security Council has its obligations.

The primary responsibility for preventing conflict and transparently and equitably managing resources, lies with governments. Political leaders are to ensure that extractive industries generate employment and tax revenues which support economic development and the provision of basic services. And leaders are to be held accountable by national institutions which promote social cohesion and inclusion, based on rule of law and an independent judiciary.

Transparency, it should be noted, is not just limited to tracking the flow of payments from extractive industries. Information about the quantity, value and location of resources is also essential to managing public expectations and reducing tensions.

Preventing conflict related to resources also means identifying social, economic and environmental impacts. Measures must be taken to mitigate negative consequences, in close contact with local communities. And clear processes for compensation must be available to prevent tensions and disputes. The United Nations Environment Programme has been working closely with the Government of Nigeria to assess the environmental and public health impact of oil contamination in Ogoniland, in the Niger Delta, and to identify the options for clean-up.

United Nations political and peacekeeping missions and country teams support dispute resolution and grievance mechanisms through their rule of law programmes. We also work to ensure that issues related to extractive industries are part of mediation efforts and are addressed in peace processes. We have now included an expert on natural resources in our stand-by team of mediation experts.

Together with international financial institutions, we can help governments develop capacity on taxation policies and regulations relevant to extractive industries, and to address the impact of inflation and currency fluctuations.

There is also a significant gender dimension to extractive industries. The UN is working to ensure that this aspect is addressed. In Mozambique, HIV-AIDS is a major problem related to migrant workers working in South Africa’s mines. UNAIDS is working with companies in South Africa and with the miners’ home communities to raise awareness and reduce transmission. And with the rapid expansion of Mozambique’s own extractive industries, the UN system as a whole is working on the broad spectrum of related health and development issues.

Where countries are recovering from conflict, the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission and country teams can engage extractive companies in training and employing former combatants.

Where resource extraction is fuelling conflict, the Security Council, of course, has a crucial role. The expert groups that support sanctions committees are a valuable tool. They have presented findings on extractive industries, such as charcoal, timber, diamonds and gold. Their recommendations to the Council, its committees and to Member States should be important catalysts for action.

The expert groups have also provided guidance to the private sector, for instance on due diligence for individuals and entities that trade, process and consume minerals from eastern DRC. Private sector initiatives, such as the Kimberley Process in relation to Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, and the Extractive Industry's Transparency Initiative, are important to accountability, conflict prevention and sustainable development. Ending corruption must be a core goal of the United Nations.

Voluntary action by the corporate sector also underpins the United Nations Global Compact and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Endorsed in 2011 by the Human Rights Council, the Principles provide a global standard for preventing and addressing human rights abuses linked to business activity.

Member States should support these initiatives and principles – both the traditional major players, as well as the emerging economies that are increasingly entering the resources market.

Ultimately, all parties need to recognize – and act upon – the links between poverty, inequality, conflict and sustainable development. As demand for extractive resources increases, so will competition and rivalry. This must not lead to more violent conflicts in fragile nations but, rather, to cooperation and a sense of shared responsibility

As we are seeing in many developing countries, resource wealth can be a catalyst for development. As the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda states: “We need a transparency revolution, so citizens can see exactly where and how taxes, aid and revenues from extractive industries are spent.”

Let us support this process of transparency and sharing so that the people of developing nations can benefit from their own natural resources.

Source: Website of the Secretary-General of the United Nations; http://www.un.org


Africa's natural resources can fuel economic transformation – UN report

 27 May 2013 – Africa must tap into its agricultural, mining and energy resources to boost its economic growth, argues a new report released in Morocco today by the United Nations and its partners.

The African Economic Outlook 2013 states that African countries must take full advantage of their natural resource wealth to accelerate the pace of growth and ensure the process can benefit ordinary Africans. It also stresses that this must be accompanied by inclusive social policies that seek to reduce inequality in the continent.

“Now is the time to step up the tempo of economic transformation, so that African economies become more competitive and create more gainful jobs,” said the authors of the report, adding that “widening the sources of economic activity is fundamental to meeting this challenge.”

The report says the continent's economic prospects for 2013 and 2014 are promising, with the economy projected to grow by 4.8 per cent the first year and accelerate further to 5.3 per cent the next.

However, it emphasizes that economic growth alone will no be enough to reduce poverty, tackle persistent unemployment, and address income inequalities and deteriorating levels of health and education.

“Growth is not enough,” said Mario Pezzini, Director at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Centre. “African countries must provide the right conditions for turning natural resources into jobs, optimise their resource revenues through smart taxation and help investors and locals to make the most of linkages.”

According to the report, four key elements are necessary for inclusive growth. These consist of: creating the right conditions for transformation including infrastructure and the creation of more competitive markets; implementing more effective tax systems as well as improving land management; ensuring proceeds from natural resources are invested in projects that benefit civil society; and actively fostering economic diversification.

“Ultimately, transformation means opening opportunities so people can find jobs, create businesses, as well as invest in health, education and food security. In turn, higher levels of human development for all, including the most vulnerable, can accelerate the pace of economic transformation, leading to a virtuous cycle of growth and development,” the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said in a news release.

The report is produced annually by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Development Centre of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and UNDP.

Source: UN News Centre, 27 May 2013; http://www.un.org


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