(Resumed) Natural resources governance: the foundation of peace, security and prosperity - Security Council, 10200th meeting

Oh, yeah, yeah, right up here. The 10,200th meeting of the Security Council is resumed. I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than 3 minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. The flashing light on the microphone will prompt speakers to bring their remarks to a close after 3 minutes. I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine.

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank the Democratic Republic of Congo presidency for organizing today's important debate. We also thank the briefers for their valuable contribution. It was rightly mentioned today that natural resources can either fuel conflict or become a foundation for peace and prosperity. Unfortunately, Ukraine's experience clearly demonstrates how an aggressor state can exploit natural resources to finance war, undermine sovereignty, and threaten international peace and security. And Russia is doing exactly that. It transformed Ukraine's natural resources from assets of development into the instruments of war. Even today, the Russian representative attempted to blame others in starting wars to invade foreign territories and exploit resource. But he missed the beam in his own eye. Russia, as an aggressor state, doesn't have legal and moral right in this Council to discuss and interfere with our sovereign right to use our resources. Since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, Russia has systematically seized, illegally appropriated, and exploited Ukraine's natural resources. And it's about coal, iron ore, critical minerals, agricultural land, forests, water resources, and other national assets. Russia is stealing our wheat and oilseeds and other produce. Such actions violate international law. It deprives Ukraine of its sovereign resources and provides additional revenues to sustain Russia's war and prolong its aggression against Ukraine. Mr. President, this also demonstrates that the challenge before us is a broader issue. Thus, the international community must also address the illegal extraction, trade, and export of natural resources originating from occupied territories and ensure that such resources never enter legitimate international markets. And we thank our partners for imposing robust sanctions regimes against Russia. Strengthening transparency and traceability throughout the global supply chains is therefore essential. States and business alike must ensure that resources illegally extracted from occupied territories are neither imported nor traded. And we don't have to shy away here in the Council from bringing into accountability those who help Russia to exploit our natural resources. Mr. President, Ukraine believes that natural resources governance cannot be separated from respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. Sustainability management of natural resources is impossible where international law is violated, territories are occupied, and local communities are deprived of their own rights. As the world moves towards the green and digital transition, demand for critical raw materials will continue to grow. That makes it even more important to ensure that resources become drivers of sustainable development, but not the instruments of coercion or aggression. We therefore support efforts to strengthen international cooperation, improve traceability mechanisms, promote transparency and accountability, and prevent the illicit exploitation of natural resources. Mr. President, natural resources must never become a reward for aggression, or a source of financing wars. Every nation holds the foundational right to use its natural resources to pursue national development, prosperity and well-being, but it should be supported by robust implementation of UN Charter and international law. Once a renowned Indian agronomist, Dr. Samintahan, said, and I quote, the future belongs to nations who have grains but not guns. Guns you can purchase, grains you cannot. So the future is not about wars, but about our cooperation together on the peaceful use of scarce resources. I thank you, Mr. President.

I would like to thank the representative of Ukraine for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Germany.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, we would like to thank the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening today's timely debate. We believe this is an important debate because it rightly shifts the focus on how responsible resource governance can actually prevent conflicts and contribute to development, peace, and prosperity. In this context, we would like to make 3 short points. First, we believe that natural resource governance can only be successful if it anticipates future security risks. And we further believe that this discussion should go beyond minerals and include critical resources such as fertile land and water. Second, we cannot ignore central risk multipliers such as environmental degradation and climate change. Their impact on fragile contexts is increasing, a fact which any successful natural resource governance and conflict prevention, for that matter, must address in a more systematic manner. Germany aims at integrating these findings in its own action. We have therefore increased investments in environmental peacebuilding, for instance by contributing over €20 million since 2022 to the Weathering Risk Initiative for programs in the Bay of Bengal, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and Nigeria. It is also an increasingly important component of our bilateral partnerships. Germany and Mozambique, for example, cooperate on strengthening environmental oversight on the mining sector. Recently, a major milestone has been reached in Nigeria. Over the past 20 years, the Nigerian state of Benue has been severely affected by climate-accelerated resource conflicts. Supported by Germany, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue has facilitated a peace process in Benue State, which led to the signing of a statewide landmark natural resource peace agreement just June 29th of this month—

of this year.

The agreement, developed with the active participation of marginalized groups, recognizes the impact of climate change as a driver of conflict and contains specific provisions for the peaceful management of natural resources. Third and finally, the issue, we believe, cannot be solved by the affected countries alone. We must look at the bigger picture, and we especially have to look at global supply chains. Responsible supply chains are an investment in peace and security. Producing, transit, and consumer countries all share responsibility for ensuring that mineral wealth benefits producing states and local communities rather than financing armed groups. This requires effective due diligence, responsible investments, and greater local value creation. Germany supports this approach, for example, in the DRC through the Sustainable Resource Supply Chain Program, which specifically promotes the formalization of the artisanal mining sector. President, in conclusion, I want to assure you that Germany remains committed to our common objective: natural resources must contribute to prosperity and peace and not to conflict. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Germany for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of India.

Mr. President, we thank the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this timely debate. India recognizes that the illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources can, in certain situations, contribute to the financing of armed groups and prolonged conflict. However, we must remember that natural resources are first and foremost an engine of development and prosperity for sovereign states. The challenge before us is therefore not the existence of natural resources themselves, but ensuring that they are governed in a transparent, accountable, and nationally owned manner for the benefit of present and future generations. The primary responsibility for the governance and management of natural resources rests with sovereign states. National ownership, capacity building, and institution strengthening should therefore remain at the centre of all national and international efforts, solutions must be tailored to national circumstances and implemented with the full consent and leadership of the countries concerned. At the same time, it's a responsibility of states to ensure that subnational provinces that are rich in resources like oil and gas, minerals, rare earths, and precious metals, and provide the basis of sustenance for local communities, have an equitable and just share in the benefits derived from these resources in order to avoid internal instability and insecurity, not just within such countries but also in the wider region. The consequences of not doing so are clearly visible, including in our own region. Mr. President, provinces that are resource-rich but development-poor become centers of insecurity that radiate instability beyond their borders, even into neighboring countries. Further, this instability also attracts transborder interventions and resource extraction by external actors, which further exacerbates grievances of local communities and fuels instability. A heavy-handed and securitized approach to governance of resource-rich provinces only makes matters worse. India believes that responsible supply chains, greater transparency, good governance, and enhanced due diligence can contribute to reducing opportunities for illicit trade while enabling producing countries and subnational regions to derive greater developmental benefits from their natural wealth. Equally important is promoting local value addition, technology partnerships, and investment that help resource-rich developing countries move beyond being exporters of raw materials and become active participants across global value chains. Mr. President, while discussing these important issues, it's equally essential to preserve the respective mandates of the principal organs of the United Nations and also of other UN institutions. The Security Council has a clearly defined responsibility under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security. Broader questions relating to sustainable development, natural resource governance, climate action, and economic cooperation appropriately belong within the mandates of the General Assembly, the ECOSOC, the UNDP, the UNFCCC, etc. Maintaining this institutional balance is critical to ensuring both effectiveness and legitimacy within the multilateral system. The Peacebuilding Commission in particular can make a valuable contribution given its inclusive composition by supporting nationally owned efforts to strengthen institutions, enhance transparent and accountable natural resource governance, mobilize international support for capacity building, and foster inclusive dialogue among governments, local communities, and development partners. Its comparative advantage lies in bringing together diverse stakeholders dealing with peace, with development and financing in support of nationally identified priorities while fully respecting the sovereignty of the countries concerned. India therefore supports strengthening international cooperation to combat the illicit exploitation of natural resources, promote responsible and resilient supply chains, and assist countries in building governance capacities where requested. While fully respecting the purposes and principles of the Charter of the UN, Our collective objective should be to enable natural resources to become drivers of sustainable development, shared prosperity, and lasting peace so that no one is left behind. Mr. President, it was not our intention to bring other issues in this forum, but my delegation is compelled to respond to Pakistan as it has chosen to misuse today's discussion to peddle its false narrative. Our position on the Indus Water Treaty remains clear and consistent. Cooperation on the basis of mutual trust and goodwill cannot be expected when cross-border terrorism is regularly deployed as an instrument of state policy. As for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, it has always been, is, and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India. This is a constitutional and legal reality that Pakistan deliberately chooses to ignore. The only outstanding issue with regard to Jammu and Kashmir is a naked aggression and illegal occupation of India's sovereign territory by Pakistan. Instead of pointing fingers at India, Pakistan would serve itself and its people far better by putting its own house in order. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of India for the statement, and I give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

Mr. President, we would like to thank the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this important meeting, which addresses an issue that lies at the very heart of the nexus between peace and security and sustainable development. Egypt affirms that natural resources are not in and of themselves a cause of conflict. Rather, it is their poor governance, illicit exploitation, the absence of equity and transparency in the distribution of their revenues, and external interference aimed at appropriating them that transform them from a source of development and prosperity into a driver of conflict terrorism and organized crime. Conversely, sound national governance, enhanced transparency, local value addition, and ensuring that communities benefit from resource revenues can transform such natural resources into pillars of stability and peacebuilding. This is fully consistent with the objective of this debate: to move from the resource curse to the resource blessing whereby natural wealth contributes to financing peace and development instead of fueling wars and conflicts and draining the capacities of states and peoples to advance and prosper. Thus, Egypt underscores the need to address the gaps that enable networks engaged in the illicit exploitation of natural resources. Efforts should not be limited to the sites of resource extraction, as was stated by the Secretary General this morning. Instead, they should target those who transport, smuggle, purchase, and integrate such resources into international supply chains and markets. It's equally essential to strengthen accountability mechanisms and frameworks for all actors benefiting from such activities, while fully respecting the sovereignty of states and their permanent sovereignty over their natural resources. Mr. President, Egypt expresses its full solidarity with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We reaffirm their sovereign right to exercise control over their natural resources and their utilization for the benefit of their people, free from illicit exploitation or external interference. The DRC's vast mineral wealth should no longer serve as a driver of continued conflict in the eastern part of the country or as a source of profit for armed groups and other criminal mining and smuggling networks. Rather, it should become a catalyst for industrial development, value-added production, and other complementary economic and development activities that create employment opportunities and improve the lives of local communities. In this regard, Egypt emphasizes the importance of supporting the Congolese national capacities in the areas of natural resource management, supply chain tracking and monitoring, combating smuggling corruption and border management. It also highlights the importance of supporting disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs, security sector reform, and strengthening state authority and law enforcement institutions in resource-rich areas. From this Security Council, Egypt also calls for supporting the DRC in transitioning from the export of raw materials to domestic manufacturing and value addition inside the country, thereby ensuring that the Congolese people receive a fair share of their wealth. The concept of natural resources, Mr. President, is not confined to minerals and energy sources, as was stated by my colleague from Germany a while ago. Water, particularly the waters of transboundary rivers, is among the resources most closely linked to the survival of peoples and to their food, economic, and social security.

Thank you.

Against this backdrop, Egypt affirms that the management of international rivers must be based on cooperation, good faith, equitable and reasonable utilization, and the obligation not to cause significant harm, as well as prior notification and consultation regarding projects that may have transboundary impacts. We further emphasize the importance of reaching balanced and legally binding agreements that take into account the rights and interests of all riparian states, while rejecting the imposition of fait accompli or unilateral measures that could undermine the water security of peoples or threaten their stability and development. Mr. President, Egypt would like to propose the following recommendations. First, to develop an integrated U.N. approach linking natural resource governance with conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and development, while respecting national jurisdiction and the full national ownership of natural resources. Second, to strengthen traceability and transparency mechanisms for mineral supply chains and reinforce the relevant policy and criminal justice frameworks to ensure accountability for parties, companies, and intermediaries involved in the illicit trade in the natural resources of conflict-affected states. Third, to direct international support towards strengthening and building national institutions, enhancing border management, combatting corruption and developing domestic industries and value chains, thereby ensuring that producing countries and local communities benefit from the revenues generated by their natural resources. Fourth, to integrate transboundary water resources into conflict prevention efforts and encourage riparian states and river basin countries to reach legally binding agreements through good faith negotiations and in accordance with international law, while refraining from unilateral measures that may cause harm to co-repairing states or threaten regional peace and security. Fifth and last, to strengthen cooperation between the UN, the African Union, and regional organizations while supporting African initiatives aimed at transforming natural resources into a driver of development, integration, reconstruction, and peacebuilding. Mr. President, in conclusion, Egypt reaffirms that achieving sustainable Peace requires that natural wealth should never become a source of suffering for peoples, but rather an instrument for their empowerment and for realizing their legitimate aspirations for development, prosperity, and stability. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Egypt for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Morocco.

Mr. President, at the outset, I would like to applaud the sisterly Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thank you for convening this very timely, pressing debate. Ms. Thérèse Kayekwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Francophonie, we would like to extend our respect to you. We very much appreciated Thank you very much, Mr. President, for your briefing. And we very much like the fact that we're discussing a cause that is of interest to all nations, entire continents. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General and to the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Thank you for your briefings. Mr. President, natural resource governance is one of the issues which affects the future of international peace and security the most. It addresses and touches upon conflict prevention, interstate relations, sustainable development, and therefore this topic deserves the unswerving attention of the Security Council. We are debating not the resources themselves, but rather the governance thereof. The energy transition will be accelerating by the year 2030, and there are already regions which are very vulnerable, which will be even harder hit. And this is something UN programs, especially the Environment Program, is documenting. There is the illicit exploitation of a number of these resources, and that's fueling instability in a number of the world's regions instead of contributing to development. The resource curse is first and foremost a product of a deficit in governance, traceability, and cooperation. The Security Council has unstintingly looked at this issue with sanctions regimes and panels of experts. We've supported the Kimberley Process, but all of these instruments, although they're very useful, would be better placed if they were part and parcel of a more coherent, integrated approach. Which anticipates crises before they break out. Mr. President, we remain convinced that responsible resource governance is a vector of stability and development. It is in this spirit that my delegation would like to underscore the 3 following points. First, minerals traceability, which deprives armed groups from sources of funding and allows us to ensure, through tailored certification mechanisms, that minerals supply does not feed into violence. That's key. Second, building national capacity for controlling resources would allow all member states to reap the benefits of its own resources and to channel them to the development of their nation, of their people. Third, environmental and climatic governance should be part of prevention strategies because as resources become more scarce, a process exacerbated by climate change, Thank you. It calls for proactive rather than reactive governance. Mr. President, this vision— the Kingdom of Morocco will not simply speak about it. We want to translate these words into deeds. In July, all member states of the Economic Community for West Africa, including a number of other states as well, agreed on infrastructure that will be linking 13 countries in the region to— we agreed to share energy resources, creating a corridor of development, regional integration, and prosperity. Together with good governance mechanisms, this should result in $27 billion in economic benefits. This project illustrates that well-governed resources can become locomotives for regional prosperity and development. On top of this commitment, there is also the initiative of His Majesty the King An Atlantic initiative to address enclaves in the Sahel, landlocked countries in the Sahel, and we aim to do this through regional integration. All of these initiatives follow a similar logic: geography, national resources, natural resources, as well as African solidarity and cooperation. All of the above can be drivers of stability and shared prosperity at the continental level. Now, moving beyond the continent, this conviction also fuels our international partnerships. In fact, in February of this year, we signed a framework agreement with the United States on critical minerals, the objective being to bolster resilience, supply chain diversification at the global level. This is a clear demonstration of what trust-based cooperation, transparency-based partnerships can By way of conclusion, the Kingdom of Morocco very much hopes that this debate will serve as a step towards better good resource governance in the interests of peace, stability, and shared development. I thank you for your kind attention.

I thank the representative of Morocco for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa.

Thank you very much for giving me the floor, Mr. President. My delegation would like to commend the DRC's presidency for convening this open debate and the priority that it places on the issue of natural resource governance. Mr. President, in the context of the uncertain geopolitical climate where supply chains of critical minerals are threatened, we have to focus on the role of natural resources specifically on critical minerals, which holds immense potential in a just energy transition and technological advancement, in fueling conflict in various parts of the world. Certification processes and due diligence frameworks such as the Kimberley Process, the regional certification mechanism of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region, as well as the OECD due diligence guidance for responsible supply chains of minerals have been adopted to ensure the traceability of minerals and due diligence in supply chains, yet gaps persist due to fragmentation in implementation and the lack of coherence of these certification frameworks. The strengthening of institutions of governance complemented by national legislation which integrates certification and due diligence standards, is of critical importance to ensure compliance with standards and traceability of natural resources, including critical minerals. We still lack adequate identification measures throughout the complete value chain from source to the end product in order to break the illegal plundering of minerals and ensure state sovereignty over natural resources. For developing countries, capacity building, technical assistance, financial assistance, and technology transfer through multilateral and bilateral cooperation is of critical importance for strengthening institutions and ensuring coherence at local, regional, and international levels. Mr. President, South Africa is concerned about the illicit exploitation of natural resources in Africa, notably by transnational criminal networks that fuel instability and provide financing to armed groups. This remains a major concern, especially given the growing interest in the continent's vast reserves of critical minerals in light of global supply chain challenges and trade disputes. In addition, we would like to emphasize the importance of beneficiation and value addition of critical minerals within the African continent, ending illegal trade in minerals and enhancing regional cooperation to improve the African agency and benefit regarding these minerals globally. Mr. President, this Council itself has dealt with this thematic issue in various iterations and put in place listing criteria including linking to exploitation of natural resources and insecurity in various monitoring mechanisms of its respective sanctions regimes. Therefore, continued attention and expanding the scope of the Council's engagement on this matter would prove advantageous to address the illegal exploitation of natural resources and their role in fueling conflicts and instability. In conclusion, in this respect, the implementation of the decisions of the Security Council needs to be strengthened. Illicit financial flow traceability, the proliferation of arms should be halted, and private sector accountability should be assured. The Financial Action Task Force has demonstrated that it is possible to trace terrorism financing and money laundering. Similarly, illicit financial flows should be traced to halt the financing of armed groups. Most importantly, strong political will is needed for member states to effectively manage natural resources for the benefit of the people and also in order to comply with their international commitments fully in terms of international law, including international humanitarian and international human rights law.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of South Africa for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Mr. President, my delegation would like to thank you for convening this open debate on this particularly topical issue. At the outset, we'd like to make a key distinction. Natural resources are not in and of themselves the source of conflict, nor do they pose an intrinsic threat to international peace and security. Abundant natural resources can improve the quality of life of a population. Nonetheless, when they're poorly managed, they can exacerbate insecurity. On the contrary, management that's sustainable, transparent, and participatory, that's mainstreamed into sustainable development policies, can promote prosperity, social cohesion, and conflict prevention. The 1974 Charter for Economic Rights and Duties of States enshrines the full, permanent, and absolute sovereignty of each and every state over that state's wealth, natural resources, as well as its economic activities. It is therefore up to each and every state to determine the modalities for the use of these natural resources and to reap the benefits thereof. Any interpretation that could internationalize the management of these resources on the pretext of armed conflicts should be discarded. Having said that, growing demand for critical minerals required for the energy transition And the digital economy is intensifying certain resource use dynamics. In a number of situations, armed groups are funding their illicit activities through the illegal exploitation of said resources. This phenomenon is disproportionately affecting African countries and exposing vulnerable populations to human rights abuses. What it also does is serious damage to flora, fauna, and waterways. Conversely, Armed conflicts can result in environmental degradation, pollution, and biodiversity loss. As the Red Cross has reminded us, even if international humanitarian law protects the natural environment, military operations could— can do direct or indirect damage to environmental resources. We cannot let the energy transition, a transition which is so necessary, we cannot allow it to fuel new insecurity patterns. Mr. President, the Security Council should not become an environmental governance body. Within the confines of its mandate, the Security Council can address the security consequences of undue natural resource exploitation when such exploitation generates, fuels, or prolongs conflicts. Achieving peace isn't only about silencing the guns. We also need to tackle the structural causes of violence, frequently linked to socioeconomic development. Peace operations can bolster national regulatory oversight and police capacity. The Peacebuilding Commission can, for its part, support the training, the mobilization of resources, the coordination of actors, and the adoption of preventive approaches. Last but not least, Mr. President, strengthening national supervision should go hand in hand with multilateral and regional cooperation. The Kimberley Process, to which Brazil is a party, demonstrates how traceability and codes of conduct can turn natural resources into vectors of peace and development rather than a cause for conflict or a source of war financing. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Brazil. I now give the floor to the representative of Zimbabwe.

Thank you, Mr. President. Zimbabwe thanks the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this high-level open debate. We thank the Secretary-General and the Director-General of the World Trade Organization for their remarks. The central question is whether natural wealth advances peace or fuels conflict. The answer lies not in resources themselves, but in how they are governed, traded, and transformed. Mr. President, our consideration must begin with the Charter of the United Nations. Article 2 safeguards the sovereign authority of states over matters within domestic jurisdiction, without prejudice to enforcement measures under Chapter 7. General Assembly Resolution 1803 on permanent sovereignty over natural resources reinforces this principle, affirming the right of states and peoples to manage their natural wealth according to national interests and development priorities. Accordingly, primary responsibility for natural resource governance rests with sovereign states. International cooperation should complement that responsibility by supporting national ownership and strengthening institutions. Yet governance alone cannot overcome an international economic system that consigns developing countries to exporting raw commodities and importing higher-value manufactured goods. In this unequal exchange, resource-rich countries retain too little of the value generated from their natural resource. The peace dividend therefore lies not merely in extraction but in beneficiation, value addition, industrialization, employment, and improved livelihoods. Where this economic challenge intersects with conflict, the Security Council has a legitimate role. When illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources finance threats to international peace and security, Council engagement must remain focused, evidence-based, and consistent with the Charter. Natural resources in themselves do not cause conflict. Conflict is fueled when armed groups, terrorist organizations, and transnational criminal networks exploit and trade resources to finance violence. Effective international action must therefore target the enabling architecture— financiers, intermediaries, and illicit markets, supply chains, and arms networks. Curbing small arms and light weapons is essential since they enable illegal control of production areas and trade routes. Against this backdrop, Zimbabwe welcomes frameworks that promote responsible governance while respecting national ownership. The Kimberley Process demonstrates the value of nationally-led measures supported by international standards. At the continental level, Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Commodities Strategy, the African Mining Vision, and the African Green Minerals Strategy promote value addition, diversification, strategic value chains, technological capability, and prudent stewardship. Their message is clear: Africa must not remain merely a source of raw materials for the industrialization of others. Building on these continental ambitions, Zimbabwe is advancing responsible mining, cleaner energy, and beneficiation across key mineral value chains. Our objective is to transform mineral wealth into domestic industry, employment, and inclusive prosperity, leaving no one and no place behind. Thank you, Mr. President. In conclusion, Mr. President, Zimbabwe reiterates 3 key points on this debate. First, international security discussions should focus on the actors in a conflict and not on inanimate materials such as raw natural resources. Second, permanent sovereignty over natural resources remains the foundational lens in which natural resources should be viewed and governed. And third, multilateral cooperation should focus on promoting value addition, beneficiation, and addressing the continued imbalanced global trade in commodities. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Zimbabwe for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Vietnam.

Mr. President, Vietnam sincerely thanks the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this timely debate at a critical juncture when the nexus between natural resources and global peace, security, and sustainable development is more resonant than ever, particularly with the quest for energy transition and climate resilience. Yet we share concerns about fragmented rules, weak institutions, and unfair competition among states threatening to put developing countries at the lower tier of value chains and deprive them of legitimate interests. In this regard, allow us to offer 3 recommendations. First, the international community should adopt a comprehensive long-term approach corresponding to each country's circumstances, one that better integrates resource management into conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery. While ensuring that countries and communities can fully reap the benefits of the natural resources extracted from their homeland. Vietnam stands ready to actively engage with initiatives of the UN, the Secretariat-General, and regional and international organizations to spearhead those endeavors. Second, we firmly advocate stronger regional and international cooperation to construct harmonized, effective, and transparent rules and standards that fully respect the sovereignty and ownership of states over their natural resources. Any politicalizations and weaponizations of supply chains must be avoided for the benefit of all. Our region may offer useful experience. The ASEAN Principles on Sustainable Mineral Development, the ASEAN Minerals Cooperation Action Plan, the ASEAN Minerals Development Vision 2045, and the ASEAN Mineral Investment Forum have consolidated resource governance frameworks that generate mutual interest for our common community to thrive. Third, Vietnam's call for more technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and technological transfer for neighboring countries in sustainable mineral productions and processing. For its part, Vietnam is committed to responsible resource governance and will work closely with our partners so that natural resources become a genuine foundation for peace, security, and sustainable development. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Vietnam for their statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.

I have the honors to deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its member states. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Armenia, align themselves with this statement. Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate following the IREME meeting last week. There we all agreed that the illicit exploitation of natural resources continues to fuel armed conflicts, weaken state institutions, undermine sustainable development, particularly in conflict-affected regions, Sustainable peace in several conflict-torn regions of the world cannot be achieved without responsible resource governance. And for that, the participation of often neglected interlocutors— from women to indigenous peoples, from local communities to youth— is key. The European Union is strongly committed to preventing international trade in conflict minerals from intensifying or perpetuating conflicts and associated human rights abuses. The European Union's Conflict Minerals Regulation, in force since 2021, aims to break the link between minerals trade and armed conflict by promoting responsible sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold. Regulation aligns with OECD due diligence guidance, and unlike voluntary frameworks, they use approaches legally binding Reaffirming, reinforcing accountability. The European Union further believes that producing countries should benefit more from their natural resources. This is the approach behind the EU's raw materials partnerships with partner countries. Under its Global Gateway initiative, the EU is a leading supporter of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor, a project launched by President Tshisekedi that, by combining conservation, clean hydropower and sustainable value chains expands legal livelihoods for local communities and reduces the space for the illicit exploitation of natural resources, fuelling armed conflict. The EU also remains firmly committed to advancing transparency, accountability and good governance across the extractive sector. As one of the leading donors of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, The EITI— the EU supports the implementation of the EITI standard, which is the leading global standard and benchmark for transparency in the sector. Last year, we further increased our support to strengthen capacity building and technical assistance for the implementation of the 2023 EITI standard in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2016, the EU has also supported the World Bank's Multi-Donor Trust Fund Extractives Global Programmatic Support, which helps resource-rich low- and middle-income countries harness their mineral wealth for sustainable, inclusive socio-economic development. Chair, in the context of the Frank Bennett International Framework, the relevance of UN Security Council tools such as Panel of Experts, sanctions regimes, and the UNSC endorsement of the Kimberley Process cannot be overstated. Strengthening of these mechanisms and ensuring a greater coherence is essential. Let me in this regard highlight the recent strengthening of the European restrictive measures adopted on imports of Sudanese gold, and designed to curb sources of financing for the conflict and further increase pressure on those fuelling the war. The decision, I stress, includes targeted exceptions on goods intended for humanitarian purposes, public health emergencies and disaster response. Chair, in conclusion, critical raw materials, including those considered to be conflict minerals, are crucial factors of sustainable development. They should be drivers of prosperity and not sources of conflicts, human rights violations and other abuses. We should keep focus on this important issue, including by better applying the existing international framework. By supporting responsible business conduct, and by putting the rights of local producers in the center of our attention, the EU reaffirms its commitment to support producing countries in their efforts. And thank you again for the initiative you've taken.

I thank His Excellency Mr. Lambrinidis for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

Thank you, President.

President.

We welcome the presence this morning in the chamber of Her Excellency Thérèse Karimbaya Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the DRC. People— the peoples of Africa, as well as Latin America and Asia, have been victims over decades of the looting of their natural resources as a result of colonialist practices by the major powers. Exploitation of these countries' resources by foreign powers and the negation of their rights to use their own resources are one of the major causes of the deep inequalities that continue to characterize the current international order and continue to hamper efforts to achieve development and peace throughout the world. The resolution of the General Assembly recognizes the rights that states have to use their own resources and to use their resources to achieve development. The exploitation of natural resources can lead to peace when these rights are fully respected, particularly the sovereign rights of states and the importance of peacefully settling disputes and refraining from interfering in states' sovereignty and their domestic affairs. These are fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. In addition, unilateral coercive measures are instruments of political pressure that violate international law and the U.N. Charter, and which have a serious impact on people's human rights and countries' ability to achieve development. President, for almost 70 years, Cuba has been a victim of the embargo imposed upon it by the United States government. Its extraterritorial application tries— aims to prevent Cuba from using its natural resources itself, and it also affects companies, banks, and other economic operators because they are all subject to threats from participating— as a result of participating in legitimate economic activities. The ability— or the current inability for us to import fuel into the country has seriously affected our ability to deliver basic services to our people. These are not just financial and economic measures. They are a deliberate attempt to limit Cuba's ability to access natural resources and to use them for the benefit of its people. The fact that Cuban businesses are also being put on lists by the U.S. government is also part and parcel of this effort to hamper our development. This is all part of an effort to prevent us from using our natural resources appropriately to achieve development and to prevent investment in key sectors such as mining and other energy sectors. These measures violate key principles of international law and contradict the rules on global trade. No state has the authority to prevent another state from using its own resources freely for import or export or for its own development in line with its own sovereignty. It is also unacceptable for sanctions to be threatened to be applied on businesses operating in this context. President, we reiterate the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and for them to be able to use their own natural resources, which has been gravely affected by the illegal occupation by Israel, which flagrantly violates the resolutions of the Security Council. This illegal occupation deprives the Palestinians from being able to control their own resources. In addition to this, the Sahrawi people are also being deprived of access to their resources as a result of Morocco's actions in that area. President On favorable conditions, access to financing, and the ability for states to engage in capacity building to harness their own natural resources on the basis of solidarity and common but differentiated responsibilities. We are committed to uphold states' sovereignty over their own natural resources, abiding fully by the United Nations Charter, and to build a much fairer economic order in which people can fully exercise their right to development. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Cuba for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Spain.

President, Spain would like to thank the DRC for convening this debate on the management of natural resources and as a result of their direct impact on international peace and security. UN Security Council Resolution 1625, which was adopted in 2005, which focuses on preventing armed conflicts, recognizes that natural resources are structural causes of instability. The illicit use of natural resources remains a factor that multiplies risks and threats and perpetuates situations of violence and instability. The increase in the global demand for certain raw materials and the insufficient capacities for the responsible management of resources and the geostrategic competition for these resources remain some of these major factors of insecurity. The benefits from this exploitation often finance armed groups. They weaken state institutions and they deprive people from the benefits that they can derive from their own resources, only perpetuating violence and instability. Climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, desertification, and pollution also apply increasing pressure on natural resources and can multiply risks and threats to security, which makes this call to action even more urgent. President, we need to move towards greater shared responsibility between countries of origin, transit, and destination of these resources, as well as the businesses and companies who participate in the global supply chains. We need to beef up international cooperation and strengthen the capacities of the most vulnerable states. Traceability, due diligence, and transparency are all key tools to prevent the trade in natural resources contributing to financing conflicts or major human rights abuses. We must continue to work on instruments such as the recommendations and guidelines for the responsible management of resources that have been outlined by the OECD. The responsible management of natural resources must lead to employment, economic development, institutional strengthening, and access to basic services to the benefit of people. The participation of communities, respect for human rights, and the struggle against corruption are all key ways to achieve inclusive, transparent governance of resources. Conflict prevention should include a an environmental and climate dimension, and it should include the responsible management of natural resources. International and regional fora should be an instrument for political dialogue on practical cooperation to prevent and solve conflicts, particularly when resources are shared. President, in conclusion, Spain will continue to support efforts geared towards promoting transparent, responsible, and inclusive governance of natural resources, both at the domestic and international level, all of this with a goal in mind for the use of natural resources to generate tangible benefits for local populations and to avoid economic and social tensions that can lead to armed conflicts within and between states, thus contributing to development, peace, and shared prosperity between states and the international community. I thank you.

I thank Spain. For their statement, I now give the floor to the representative of Australia.

Thank you, President. Australia thanks the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this important debate. The importance of natural resources has been underscored by this year's fuel crisis and by the growing demand for the minerals needed to drive the global energy transition. As demand grows, effective governance is critical to ensuring natural resources support economic development, peace, and stability while advancing the goals of the Paris Agreement. Australia welcomes this discussion on how resource governance can help transform natural wealth into lasting prosperity and stability. As a candidate for the United Nations Security Council for 2029 to 2030, Australia remains committed to working with all member states to address shared challenges, including through the responsible governance of natural resources. Australia supports practical approaches that strengthen governance, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure the benefits of resource development are widely shared. First, good governance must be the foundation. Transparent institutions, accountable revenue management, respect for human rights, gender equality, labour standards, and strong environmental and social safeguards help reduce instability and deliver lasting benefits. For Australia, this means early and meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples on resource projects to help ensure natural resource wealth drives resilience, prosperity, and stability for all communities. Australia's experience shows that high environmental, social, and governance standards are not barriers to development. They are essential to attracting investment, supporting communities, and delivering sustainable growth. Second, we should build on existing international frameworks and partnerships. Australia recognises concerns about fragmentation across current approaches to resource governance, and we support efforts to improve coordination between existing frameworks. Mechanisms such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Kimberley Process, and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights already make important contributions to governance and to traceability. Through bilateral and multilateral partnerships, Australia supports practical outcomes to promote transparency, responsible business conduct, supply chain integrity, and cooperation between governments, industry, and civil society. Future efforts should focus on improving coordination, strengthening implementation, and building capacity, particularly in developing and resource-producing countries. President, Australia stands ready to work with partners to strengthen resource governance and build on existing frameworks to ensure natural resources are a source of peace, stability and shared prosperity.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of Australia. I now give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to welcome the participation of Ms. Thérèse Kayokwamba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I welcome her presidency over this meeting. I thank the DRC for holding this debate on natural resource governance as a foundation of peace, security, and prosperity. We also thank the briefers for their valuable interventions. Ladies and gentlemen, Your Excellencies, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stresses that international cooperation to protect and strengthen natural resources is an urgent matter that requires concerted efforts and international cooperation. The increasing demand for natural resources has caused a number of international and regional conflicts. They've had grave repercussions on the humanitarian situation in a number of countries. This has manifested in a number of countries that are suffering from poor governance of natural resources. This contributed to destabilizing those countries and the regions. We cannot overlook the issue of sovereignty of states over their territories. This is a pillar to achieve sustainable development and to enhance stability and reduce conflict drivers. Preventing the illicit exploitation of natural resources is an important element in drying up the financing sources for terrorist groups. They seek to spark conflicts. They are using instability to serve their own interests. These illicit activities would benefit financially these terrorist groups. This perpetuates conflicts and increases instability in these countries, and this also fuels regional and international conflicts. As part of the 2030 Vision of Saudi Arabia, we attach great importance to the governance of natural resources in a sustainable manner. We're adopting best practices in order to contribute to peace and stability and to improve living conditions. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stresses that the security of energy and critical minerals is a collective responsibility that requires cooperation among different countries, different partners, It requires also coordination at international level to address environmental and economic challenges. We believe that natural resources, including critical minerals and energy, must be drivers for prosperity and must be a bridge for international cooperation. Latest developments in our region proved that the security of natural resources is closely linked to the security of maritime routes, international trade, and energy supply depend on those maritime routes. Against this background, we stress the importance of protecting the freedom of navigation and ensuring the safety and security of supply routes. It is important to prevent any attacks on supply routes. This has direct repercussions on international peace and security and global economy. There is no doubt that these illicit activities, namely the closure of straits maritime corridors will disrupt supply chains, will disrupt the flow of natural resources to countries of the world, including countries that suffer from poverty and hunger. All these developments will cast dark shadows on the most vulnerable groups in affected countries. Ladies and gentlemen, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is adopting an approach based on openness to all countries to diversify their sources of critical minerals and natural resources. And in order to ensure the stability of global markets, we support the building of national capacities, exchanging expertise, and enhancing the capacities of countries producing natural resources. We encourage responsible investment. We believe in enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations and the private sector to develop best practices on the governance of natural resources and ensure the sustainability of the use of such resources. In a related context, the Kingdom contributed to enhancing dialogue and multilateral cooperation in a number of sectors related to natural resources, including mining sector. We hosted the International Conference on Mining in Riyadh every year. It's the forum that brings together the private sector, international organizations to exchange best practices, to enhance cooperation, and to review best practices in the mining sector.

Thank you.

Area of responsible sourcing and responsible mining. We believe that effective cooperation between countries is an important tool to address common challenges related to the management of natural resources, most notably water scarcity, desertification, and the deterioration and erosion of land. Through partnerships, knowledge exchange, and the exchange of best practices, we achieve these goals. We are supporting the efforts of different countries and enhance their capacities to effectively manage their own resources. In this context, we continue to invest in modern technology to ensure the optimal use of natural resources. We're focusing on developing highly efficient management of these resources and highly efficient ways to use these resources. It's important to protect maritime resources, environmental resources, as this is part of good governance of natural resources. In conclusion, we believe that achieving sustainable peace and development requires Building national institutions able to govern natural resources with efficiency and equity. It's important to respect the sovereignty of states over their natural resources. It's important to enhance cooperation, build of partnership, and respect of national priorities to achieve prosperity and stability. I thank you, Mr. President.

Je remercie le représentant.

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative. On behalf of the Republic of Poland.

Madam President, at the outset, I would like to thank the Democratic Republic of the Congo for organizing this important debate on links between the natural resources and peace and security. Madam President, nowadays, critical raw materials are fundamental to energy transition as well as to development of the modern technologies and defense systems. They are deemed critical because of their irreversibility in both key technologies and supply chains. As it has been proved several times, we are highly vulnerable to these minerals' abrupt scarcities. That is precisely why Poland believes reducing strategic dependencies, diversifying supply routes as a tool for building resilience, and promoting transparent markets are essential to mitigating the risk of critical minerals being leveraged as a tool of political pressure. By the same token, we should also reduce the risk of using critical raw materials supply routes to advance political objectives. Madam President, Poland remains involved in strengthening economic resilience, particularly in response to potential disruptions in critical raw materials supply chains. With demand for critical raw materials skyrocketing all over the world due to the green and digital transitions, we underline the need shared by all market participants to adhere to strict corporate and social responsibility frameworks in extraction and production of raw materials. To that end, as mentioned in the European Union statement, we support international partnerships designed for addressing main challenges in this field: supply chain transparency, human rights, labour standards, and environmental stewardship. Madam President, we cannot turn a blind eye to the obvious: disruption and distribution of the natural resources and profiting from them remains one of the major causes of conflicts worldwide. We note with growing concern the pressing problem of illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, particularly during military conflicts. Let me be clear: Poland condemns those building their wealth on intimidation, extortion, and the misery of others. In this context, we support international efforts to mitigate the negative impact of competition for natural processes on peace, security and sustainable development, including the Kimberley Process and the UN Security Council sanctions regimes. Still, the main responsibility rests within States. And the situation across our eastern border is a case in point. In the territories of Ukraine that is currently under Russian occupation, the systemic plundering of minerals, coal, oil, gas and other assets takes place on a daily basis. Such behaviour, although typical of Russia is yet another example of this country's neo-colonial ambitions in the region. It is also a stark reminder of the character of Moscow's illegal war against Ukraine. Madam President, enhancing the resilience of critical minerals supply chains remains a key concern for many countries, and for good reason. Let's work together towards reducing strategic dependencies and vulnerabilities so that natural resources serve as a foundation for development, not a of contention. And I thank you.

I thank the representative of Poland for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Sierra Leone.

Thank you, Madam President. Sierra Leone congratulates the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this timely high-level debate on an issue that sits at the intersection of peace, security, and sustainable development. We also thank you Thank you for presiding over this open debate. Natural resources are neither a curse nor a guarantee of prosperity. Their impact depends on how they are governed. Today, as global demand for critical minerals accelerates the clean energy transition, the international community faces a defining question: will mineral wealth continue to finance conflict, or can it become a foundation for peace peace, security, and shared prosperity. For Africa, this question is especially urgent. Our continent possesses vast mineral wealth, yet too many resource-rich countries continue to experience instability, illicit financial flows, and underdevelopment. This must change. General Assembly Resolution 1803 on permanent sovereignty over natural resources reminds us that these resources must be managed in the interest of national development and the well-being of our peoples. Madam President, it is in this regard that we offer the following insights in this open debate. First, Sierra Leone speaks from experience. During our civil war, the illicit exploitation of diamonds financed armed groups and prolonged the conflict Yet we have demonstrated that responsible governance can reverse this trajectory. Through reforms, strengthening institutions, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and most recently our sovereign Mineral Wealth Fund, Sierra Leone has sought to ensure that our mineral wealth contributes to peace, economic resilience, and intergenerational prosperity. Second, our experience confirms that good governance is the most effective form of conflict prevention. However, today's responses remain fragmented. While initiatives such as the Kimberley Process, the ICGLR Regional Certification Mechanism, the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, and extractive industries transparency initiatives have advanced transparency, implementation gaps continue to enable illicit trafficking, sustain armed groups, and undermine state authority. This brings me to the third and final point. Sierra Leone supports a more coherent international framework that strengthens traceability, transparency, and accountability through admin— supply chains. While fully respecting the permanent sovereignty of states over their natural resources. Such a framework should strengthen national institutions, promote responsible and digital traceability systems, support local value addition and equitable benefit sharing for producing communities, and deepen regional cooperation to combat illicit exploitation and cross-border trafficking. It should also advance the African Mining Vision, which rightly places resources governance at the center of Africa's industrialization, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. Madam President, natural resource governance is ultimately about people. When managed responsibly, natural resources finance schools instead of weapons. Jobs instead of instability, and development instead of displacement. They create incentives for cooperation rather than conflict and transform mineral wealth into a foundation for lasting peace and shared prosperity. Sierra Leone therefore supports efforts to elevate natural resource governance from a series of country-specific responses to a broader preventive peace and security agenda. The clean energy transition must not create new conflicts over critical minerals, for example, but rather it must create new opportunities for sustained development, regional cooperation, and durable peace. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Sierra Leone for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Paraguay.

Thank you, Madam President. The delegation of Paraguay would like to commend the presidency of the DRC for convening this important debate, and we welcome the presence this morning of the Foreign Affairs Minister, and we are grateful for the other briefings. In a world characterized by increasingly complex challenges, The responsible management of natural resources is an essential way of promoting development, stability, and the well-being of our societies. At the same time, the illicit use or the poor management of natural resources can lead to instability and violence. In certain circumstances, this can be a threat to international peace and security. Today, we are seeing an increase in the strategic importance of these resources, including minerals, in the context of modern economic growth, energy security, and technological progress. This reality means that we must boost national capacities to administer these resources responsibly and avoiding the illegal use of these resources which can lead to conflicts and tensions. International cooperation is in this context critical. The exchange of experiences, capacity building, technical assistance, these are all valuable tools to beef up national capacities. This cooperation should always be engaged in on the basis of state sovereignty, national priorities, and the different levels of development that exist. We also acknowledge that in different parts of the world, the illegal trade in natural resources and minerals continue to finance armed groups, criminal organizations, and other illegal activities linked to international cross-border crime. Crime, money laundering, and other related crimes. These can fuel violence and undermine national stability. They can seriously affect local communities and hamper efforts to achieve development and peace. Given these challenges, we believe it is critical to bolster international cooperation so as to address transnational criminal networks, and to do this by exchanging good practices and to ensure that state institutions are strong enough to counter these threats while, of course, respecting state sovereignty. Natural resources should be a source of development and prosperity and never an instrument to finance violence or to prolong conflicts. Madam President, we reaffirm the principle of state state sovereignty over states' natural resources, which is critical. It is up to every state to define their own national priorities in line with their international obligations and to forge their own policies in this area to ensure that natural resources benefit their people and their well-being. We believe that this is a critical matter. In Paraguay, our water resources, for instance, are critical for our energy resources. Our forests are also a significant source of energy and a very important part of our attempts to achieve development for this generation and for future generations. The management of these resources requires robust institutions and predictable long-term planning. That is why we have progressively been strengthening our institutions in this area and the legal framework within which these institutions operate. Paraguay believes that this issue should continue to be addressed holistically by the UN, respecting the mandate provided by each body. It is up to the Security Council to focus on those situations in which the illegal use of natural resources has a direct impact on international international peace and security. In this spirit, we conclude by reiterating our commitment to promote the responsible management of natural resources and minerals based on international cooperation, strengthening of institutions, and respect for state sovereignty. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Paraguay for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Türkiye.

Thank you, Madam President. We thank the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this timely and important open debate. TRUCARE recognizes the link between natural resources, peace, security, and prosperity. Disputes over natural resources can often fuel instability, insecurity, and in some cases, conflict. Conversely, when managed in a transparent equitable, and cooperative manner, natural resources can serve as powerful driver of sustainable development, regional cooperation, and lasting peace. Energy, in particular energy supply security, has become one of the foremost global priorities. Our primary objective is to secure uninterrupted, affordable, and sustainable energy supplies, while at the same time enhancing the prosperity of our people. And strengthening the resilience of our economies. Turkey's experience as an emerging energy and transit hub at the crossroads of Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East has reinforced our conviction that transparent and cooperative resource governance is not merely a technical matter, but a strategic pillar of regional stability. Turkey has invested significantly in becoming multi-source, multi-route energy corridor through pipeline projects, LNG infrastructure, and interconnections with neighboring states. We are committed to further strengthening this role as a reliable and stabilizing energy hub, bridging producers and consumers across regions. Through strategic investments in infrastructure and enhanced regional cooperation, Türkiye aims to contribute to the security predictability of global energy markets. Our approach to regional energy cooperation demonstrates that neighboring states, even with historically complex relations, can build durable, mutually beneficial agreements around energy infrastructure. Such cooperation can help reduce tensions, build confidence, and create shared economic interests. In this context, We stress the importance of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in full respect for the legitimate and inherent rights of all relevant peoples and parties. Refraining from unilateral actions and avoiding maximalist positions are key to fostering stability and cooperation. We envision a region where maritime jurisdiction areas are equitably delimited and hydrocarbon resources are shared fairly. This approach, based on dialogue, equity, and mutual respect, can transform natural resources from a source of contention into a basis of cooperation and prosperity. Enhanced coordination between the governments and private sector is essential to mitigate risks, mobilize investment, and reinforce resilience in global energy systems. Turkey stands ready to work with partners. Towards a more secure, diversified, and sustainable energy future to ensure that natural resources can become a foundation for peace rather than a driver of conflict. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Türkiye for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Ethiopia.

Thank you, Madam President. Mr. President, I would like to express our appreciation to the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this important and timely debate. Natural resources are among the most important foundations of national development. They support industrialization, economic growth, energy and food security, and environmental sustainability. For many countries, particularly in Africa, the responsible management of natural resources is closely linked to achievement of national development goals and the well-being of present and future generations. For this reason, respect for the permanent sovereignty of states over their natural resources must remain a fundamental principle of international law. Relations. States have the right to determine how their natural resources are managed and utilized in accordance with their development priorities, including their transboundary water resources. This requires complete abandonment of anachronistic policies and approaches characteristic of the colonial-era mindset which sought to impose exclusive control over transboundary water resources. Transboundary water resources should be managed through cooperative basin-wide arrangements. These resources should not be securitized. Competition for access to minerals and energy resources should not undermine the rights of States or limit their ability to determine their own development paths. International partnerships should support national ownership and development, rather than create new forms of dependency or external control. However, sovereignty over natural resources also carries an important responsibility. Natural wealth Natural resources must be managed in a manner that promotes the long-term interests of the people. Governments have a responsibility to ensure that the exploitation of natural resources contributes to national development and benefits future generations. This requires, among others, effective institutions. The experience of many countries has shown that natural resources natural resource wealth does not automatically lead to prosperity. In the absence of strong institutions and sound policies, natural resources can contribute to economic instability and underdevelopment. In this context, the illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources remain a serious concern. These activities deprive African states of significant public revenues and weaken national institutions. There is also a danger that they can contribute to financing of armed groups and terrorism. Addressing this challenge requires stronger national, regional and international cooperation. States should also be supported in strengthening their institutions. At the same time, responsible cooperation between governments governments and the private sector can play an important role in transforming natural resource wealth into sustainable development. The objective should be to ensure that natural resources are managed for the benefit of citizens. Economic cooperation and investment should be based on mutual benefit and shared interests.

Madam President, Mr.

President, as recognized in relevant United Nations General Assembly resolutions, including Resolution 1515 of 15 December 1960 and Resolution 1803 on permanent sovereignty over national resources, the right of States to manage and use their wells and natural resources must be respected. At a time when natural resources are increasingly at the center of global In the context of global economic and geopolitical competition, this principle is more important than ever. Geopolitical interests must not override national sovereignty. Natural resources must not be allowed to fuel conflict or undermine the economies and securities of states. Instead, through respect for sovereignty and international cooperation, natural resources can become become a foundation for peace and shared prosperity. The international community must therefore work together to ensure that the natural wealth of countries, particularly in Africa, becomes a source of development and opportunity rather than a source of conflict and instability. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the representative of Ethiopia for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Suriname.

Thank you.

Madam President, we thank the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this timely, high-level, open debate. This debate is highly relevant not only to countries affected by armed conflict, but also to countries seeking to ensure that their natural wealth becomes a foundation for sustainable development, rather than a source of instability. Suriname occupies a unique position. We are one of the few carbon-negative countries, and our forests provide benefits that extend far beyond our national borders by supporting biodiversity, climate stability, and the well-being of present and future generations. Today, we stand at the threshold of a new chapter with the continued discovery and future development of significant offshore natural resources. This opportunity also reminds us that natural wealth alone does not create prosperity. Without sound governance, transparency, strong institutions, Without governance and the rule of law, abundant resources can become a source of vulnerability, instability, and violence rather than progress. We therefore welcome the Security Council's attention to the governance of natural resources as essential to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. Our own experience illustrates why this debate matters. Our open borders, difficult-to-access areas form a magnet for undocumented workers who misuse our limited capacity to enforce our natural laws. Sustainable management of our natural resources can be particularly challenging. Illegal activities in such areas may have negative consequences for ecosystems, systems, biodiversity and well-being of communities that depend directly on these resources for their livelihoods. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that combines national ownership with international cooperation. Countries like Suriname, with abundant natural resources, often face capacity constraints in monitoring and protecting their territories. Effective stewardship is therefore not only— not solely a matter of political will. It also depends on adequate financial, technical and institutional capacity, as well as sustained international cooperation and shared responsibility. Strengthening partnerships, enhancing technical assistance and supporting national capacities are therefore essential essential to ensuring that natural wealth remains a source of sustainable development, resilience, and stability. Madam President, Suriname remains committed to the responsible stewardship of its natural resources, to multilateral cooperation, and to strengthening governance that promotes resilience and inclusive prosperity. We believe these are mutually reinforcing foundations for lasting peace and security. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Suriname for their statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Timor-Leste.

Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, Timor-Leste thanks the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening This is a lesson Timor-Leste learned through its own experience. Emerging from conflict, with modest natural resources, we are acutely aware of the risks that resource wealth could deepen inequality, weaken institutions, and undermine stability. We therefore made a deliberate national choice to place transparency, accountability, and the rule of law at the center of resource governance. Our modest petroleum fund was established on these principles. It is governed by law, independently audited, and subject to public oversight. Citizens can scrutinize how revenues are collected, invested, and spent. This has not simply strengthened fiscal management; it has strengthened confidence in public institutions. Trust is one of the most effective safeguards against conflict. Timor-Leste also offers an example of how disputes over natural resources may be resolved peacefully. Through the compulsory conciliation procedures under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, followed by constructive negotiations, we peacefully settled our maritime boundary with one of our giant neighbors. That outcome reaffirmed a simple but powerful proposition: cooperation. When States place their confidence in international law and engage in good faith, even complex resource disputes can become opportunities for cooperation. Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, our experience reinforces several broader observations. First, transparency remains one of the strongest forms of conflict prevention. When the management of natural resources is open, accountable, and subject to effective oversight, opportunities for corruption diminish and public confidence grows. Mechanisms such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative have shown the practical value of this approach. Second, preventive diplomacy deserves greater emphasis. Many disputes over natural resources need not become security crises if dialogue, mediation and peaceful settlement of disputes are pursued early and consistently. The Charter already provides us with the necessary tools. Our collective responsibility is to use them. Third, lasting peace depends on ensuring that the benefits of natural resources are widely shared. Communities must see tangible improvements in their lives and, where applicable, People— women, young people and Indigenous Peoples— must have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Inclusive governance strengthens both legitimacy and resilience. Finally, Madam President, environmental stewardship has become inseparable from conflict prevention. As climate change intensifies pressure on land, water, forests and marine resources, resources, responsible environmental management is no longer solely a development objective. It is increasingly a peaceful imperative. Timor-Leste's experience has taught us that natural resources do not shape a nation's destiny on their own. Institutions do. Governance does. Political choices do. Madam President, we manage with transparency, guided by international law, and directed toward the well-being of all citizens. Let me repeat: when managed with transparency, guided by international law, and directed toward the well-being of all citizens, natural resources become not a trigger of conflict, but a foundation for peace, development, and human dignity. Timor-Leste stands ready to work with all member states to advance that shared objective.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Timor-Leste. Thank you, Your Majesty, for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Côte d'Ivoire.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, at the outset, I would like to extend to you the heartfelt congratulations of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. Thank you for all of your initiatives as President of the Security Council, including this high-level debate. We'd like to extend our gratitude to Thank you, Mr. Antonio Guterres, as well as Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Thank you for your edifying briefings, your analysis, and for reminding us forcefully that natural resource governance does not boil down to a trade or an economic imperative. It also throws up serious sustainable development, state resilience, and international cooperation, as well as shared prosperity challenges. Madam President, Thank you, Madam President. This debate is an initiative that honors the African continent by placing before the Security Council this issue, which goes beyond simply natural riches. It is an invitation to think about a development model, the kind we want to bequeath to our people, a model whereby the Earth's resources fuel peace, bring nations closer together, and serve as a heritage for future generations. Madam President, my delegation stands convinced that natural resources are a formidable lever for economic development, job creation, and shared prosperity. Nevertheless, when these resources are used outside a transparent, responsible, and inclusive governance framework, they can fuel tensions, weaken institutions, and prolong conflicts. The real challenge lies not in an abundance of resources, but rather in our collective capacity to govern in a way that is imbued with integrity, transparency, responsibility, and vision. This reality calls for a collective response underpinned by international law, in particular the UN Charter, as well as international cooperation that is underpinned by partnerships, capacity building, and the sharing of best practices. On this note, Côte d'Ivoire remains convinced that responses must be tailored to the realities specific to each national and regional context. All the while prioritizing dialogue and regional cooperation. Madam President, Côte d'Ivoire is embarking on a new stage of its development with the discovery of large hydrocarbon deposits, in particular the Bailén and Kalao fields, as well as the strengthening of our mining potential. Under the enlightened vision of our President, President Alassane Ouattara, these discoveries have not been seen as an end in and of themselves, but as an additional responsibility towards current and future generations. My country has committed to creating a rigorous governance framework prioritizing transparency, due revenue management, local value addition, the protection of the environment, and the effective contribution to funding infrastructure, education, health, and human development. Our conviction is very simple: natural resource wealth does not hold genuine value unless it improves the living conditions of our people in a lasting fashion. Madam President, the Security Council can usefully support this momentum by encouraging responsible natural resource governance, by supporting the fight against illicit flows, and promoting regional cooperation underpinned by trust, dialogue, and mutually beneficial interests. Let's work together to ensure that the Earth's riches remain across-the-board, uh, heritage for the dignity of people, lasting prosperity, and a more secure common

President, I thank the representative of Côte d'Ivoire for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Thank you very much, Madam President. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela would like to express its thanks to the delegation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the leadership of Her Excellency Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Francophonie, for convening this high-level open debate. We also welcome the presence of the United Nations Secretary-General, His Excellency Antonio Guterres, whose participation in this morning's meeting has enriched our deliberations. We are taking part in this meeting to reaffirm Our staunch commitment to the defense of the sovereignty of states over their natural resources and to the promotion of fair, equitable, inclusive, sustainable governance over natural resources. Given the progression projections that talk of a tripling of demand for raw materials by 2030, we believe that the transition towards sustainable development should be based on fully respecting the principle of common. But differentiated responsibilities. Only in this way can we ensure a fair energy transition that doesn't reproduce new forms of asymmetry and dependence for certain countries. Madam President, we take note of the concern expressed by the presidency about the financing of armed groups through the illicit exploitation of minerals. Nevertheless, we would like to speak out about the increasing securitization of the development agenda. Having a universal response from this council to the issue of the governance of natural resources runs the risk of transporting a debate that is just on development into the area of militarized security. Which we believe would not be a good move. Madam President, we should also point out that the imposition of unilateral coercive measures which are contrary to international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, this leads to deep-seated distortions in the international markets and it undermines states' ability to fully exercise control in a sovereign way over their natural resources for the benefit of their people. We can't speak about responsible, equitable, sustainable management of these resources for as long as embargoes and other unilateral coercive measures persist as they seriously affect states' ability to achieve development. We believe that through an inclusive democratic system— and this includes at the General Assembly— this is the appropriate forum to ensure that we focus on dialogue, cooperation, and consensus between concerned states. This is a stance that we have maintained since 2007. To conclude, we must embrace the vision that respecting state sovereignty and opting for international cooperation and dialogue should always be the most effective ways to transform natural resources into genuine sources of peace and prosperity throughout the world. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

Thank you, Madam President. I thank Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this important open debate. When utilized wisely and peacefully, mineral resources can be a driving force for development. In practice, however, they are often used to fuel armed conflict, and disputes over resource interests can trigger conflicts. Sound mineral resource governance is therefore indispensable for both conflict prevention and sustainable development. As a part of pursuit of sound governance, Japan has participated in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI, since 2018, and through JICA has been supporting Papua New Guinea to enhance transparency in its mining sector by dispatching experts and organizing training programs. Moreover, as part of Japan's contribution to UNODC, Japan will support organization of a high-level roundtable this year in DRC, bringing together senior representatives of regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies to address crimes and corruption risks associated with mineral trade. This initiative will strengthen international and regional cooperation, enhance information sharing, and deliver training aimed at enabling more effective and timely response to illicit cross-border transactions. To avoid excessive reliance on mineral resources, balanced and sustainable development must be pursued. As an example, Japan also supports infrastructure and industrial development in Nakara Corridor encompassing Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia. A region rich in mineral resources and arable land, with a view to fostering sustainable development. Critical minerals also face the risk of supply disruption due to export restrictions, raising concern across the international community. We must therefore address this issue from the perspective of global supply chain resilience as well. To enhance global supply chain resilience, Japan has led launch of the Resilient and Inclusive Supply Chain Enhancement, RISE, partnership, which offers technical assistance and capacity building to help developing countries play a greater role across critical mineral supply chains, including by improving the investment environment. In conclusion, Japan remains firmly committed to advancing conflict prevention, sustainable development, and global supply chain and resilience in close cooperation with all partners.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Japan for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Madam President, Your Excellencies, distinguished members, thank you for this invitation to the high-level open debate on natural resource governance. The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the EU statement And as a proud board member and funder of both the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Kingdom of the Netherlands recognizes the link between natural resource governance, conflict prevention, sustainable peace, and also recognizes the so-called resource curse. In addressing challenges related to natural resource governance, we would like to highlight 3 priorities: responsible governance and transparency, inclusive and sustainable value chains, and strong international cooperation and partnerships. Firstly, responsible governance and transparency. As a funder of EITI, we believe that a country's natural resources belong to its citizens. EITI's mission is also to promote understanding of natural resource management strengthen public and corporate governance and accountability, and provide the data to inform policymaking and multi-stakeholder dialogue. Transparency, improved implementation of responsible mining and international responsible business conduct policies and regulations like the Conflict Mineral Regulation are essential. Likewise, we need strong political commitment and effective international governance governance and national government governance, as well as enforcement. Second, inclusive and sustainable value chains. EPRM is a multi-stakeholder initiative fostering reliable and responsible mineral supply chains through inclusive and knowledge-driven engagement with artisanal and small-scale mining in high-risk areas. The Kingdom of the Netherlands recognizes the importance of local value addition in resource-rich countries like the DRC, and are committed to supporting these efforts through partnerships and coalition building. Our involvement in these initiatives not only shows our commitment to the very important issue DRC is raising here, but it also shows that there are already frameworks and knowledge bases that can and must be used moving forward. This requires a 360-degree approach combining investment investments, diplomacy, and development cooperation. Thirdly, international cooperation and partnerships. Value chains for minerals are inherently global, including illicit financial flows that undermine domestic resource mobilization and public revenue. In a context of heightened geopolitical competition, no country can develop all capabilities domestically. The challenge is to strike the right balance between open openness, resilience, strategic competitiveness, and mutually beneficial collaboration. By combining all our strengths and aligning our efforts, we can build value chains that foster more security and resilience while being beneficial to all. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Maldives.

Thank you, Madam President. A mine can finance a school. It can also finance a militia. A forest can sustain a community. It can also provide cover for the illegal trade that sustains conflict. A fishery can feed a nation, and it can also be plundered by illegal fleets. The difference is governance. The Maldives thanks the democratic Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this important debate. Natural resources do not cause conflict. Poor governance does. When licensing is opaque, revenues leak. When borders are weak, minerals are smuggled. And when communities are excluded, grievances grow. The evidence is clear. UNEP has found that at least 40% of the internal conflicts over the past 60 years are linked to natural resources, and such conflicts are twice as likely to repress within 5 years. Demand for strategic minerals are also projected to increase. That demand can power the shifts— can power the shifts and renewable energy. The Council must focus on 3 linked priorities. First, we must cut the financing of armed groups. This requires targeted sanctions, stronger customs cooperation, financial investigation, and action against such companies and intermediaries that profit from illicit trade. Second, we must stop leakage of public revenue. Resource wealth must enter national budgets. It must finance schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and climate This requires transparency, anti-money laundering capacity, and stronger audit institutions. Third, we must address local grievances before they become security risks. Communities living closest to extraction sites must not be the last to benefit. Consultations, fair compensation, community benefit sharing, environmental protection and credible grievance mechanisms are tools of prevention. Traceability is central to all 3 priorities I listed, but traceability must be more than a certificate at the point of export. It must follow the resources from licensing and extraction to transport, refining, trade, and the end use. Digital tagging and satellite monitoring can help, but technology cannot replace institutions. Traceability must be backed by prosecution, customs officers, and inspectors. It must also be applied to buyers, processors, and refiners, not only to producing states. A clean supply chain cannot, cannot begin at the mine and disappear at the refinery. For the most For the Maldives, our natural resources base is not minerals. It is the ocean. Tourism is the single largest contributor to the Maldives' GDP. Fisheries remains essential to exports and livelihoods. For the Maldives, resource governance means protecting reefs, protecting tuna stocks, and protecting maritime zones and coastal ecosystems. It also means combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated which costs the world an estimated $10 to $23 billion a year. This is why environmental and climate dimension must be integrated into conflict prevention. Peace operations and special political missions should map resources— resource risks early. They must also connect resource governance with climate change adaptation measures, protection of ecosystems, as well as women's participation and youth livelihoods. Natural resources should never be the salary of war. They should be the foundation of dignity, resilience, and peace. That is the choice before us. The Maldives stands ready to support a coherent international approach towards effective governance of natural resources. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Maldives, and I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Fatih Ahmed Idriss, the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations.

Thank you very much, Madam President.

To welcome and express appreciation to the Honorable Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for chairing the opening of this General Debate. I wish to express sincere appreciation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this important high-level open debate under the DRC's able presidency of the Security Council. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Director-General of the World Trade Organization for their insightful briefings. This initiative to examine the nexus between natural resource governance, peace, and security is both timely and necessary, particularly at a moment when the global demand for critical minerals is rapidly increasing while conflict economies continue to exploit governance gaps. Madam President, Africa is endowed with immense mineral and natural wealth. It possesses a significant share of the world's reserves of critical minerals that are indispensable for the global energy transition and technological transformation. Yet this wealth has not translated into peace, prosperity, or sustainable development for Instead, the illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources continue to finance armed groups, prolong conflicts, weaken state institutions, and deprive communities of the benefits of their own resources. Africa cannot remain to be among the wealthiest nations while being the home of some of the poorest people. The African Union has consistently maintained that natural resources should always be conducive to peace. This conviction is firmly reflected in the African Mining Vision adopted in 2009. 2009, which remains the continental framework for harnessing mineral resources for broad-based development. The vision calls for transparent and equitable governance, local value addition, responsible environmental stewardship, and the elimination of conditions that allow natural resources to fuel and finance conflict. It recognizes that Africa's mineral wealth must support industrialization, create decent jobs, and contribute to lasting peace rather than perpetuate instability. This commitment is further reinforced by the African Minerals Governance Framework, which provides African countries with a common framework to assess and strengthen mineral governance across the entire value chain by promoting transparency, accountability, effective institutions, environmental and social responsibility, and local value addition. The framework supports evidence-based reforms and helps translate the aspirations of the Africa Mining Vision into measurable progress. The African Union Peace and Security Council has repeatedly recognized the close relationship between natural resource governance and conflict prevention. The Council has been emphasizing the need to mainstream natural resources governance into conflict prevention mediation, and peacebuilding efforts, while strengthening transparent national institutions and regional cooperation to combat illicit exploitation of natural resources. These frameworks recognize that Africa must move beyond the export of raw materials and ensure that its natural wealth creates jobs, and strengthen resilience and support long-term development. Madam President, the African Union remains deeply concerned by the continued financing of armed groups through the illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, where conflict minerals continue to fuel violence and insecurity. The PSC expressed The ICGLR expressed in December 2025 its deep concern about the link between the illegal exploitation of natural and mineral resources in the eastern DRC and encouraged all concerned parties to fully adhere to the implementation of the regional certification mechanism of the ICGLR as a way to curb the link between the illegal exploitation of mineral resources and the fueling of conflict in the region. In this regard, we welcome efforts to develop a more coherent international approach that recognizes responsible natural resource governance as an essential pillar of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Such efforts must fully respect the sovereignty of states over their natural resources strengthen national ownership, and be developed in close partnership with regional organizations, including the African Union and the relevant regional economic communities. In conclusion, let us ensure that the minerals powering the world's future no longer finance conflict, but instead finance peace, dignity, and opportunities for present and the future generations. Merci beaucoup.

I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Fathi Ahmed for his statement. I now give the floor to Guatemala.

Guatemala would like to thank the DRC for convening this important open debate on the governance of natural resources Experience shows that natural resources in and of themselves do not cause conflicts, but when they are poorly managed, this can lead to tensions. This can lead to tensions that can fuel violence, weaken state authority, and hamper peacebuilding efforts. From this vision, we believe that the The sound management of natural resources is an investment in preventing conflicts. Our experience shows that having a permanent dialogue with local communities, particularly indigenous peoples, before tensions escalate is in and of itself a mechanism for preventing conflicts. Prevention strengthens trust in the state and of the people themselves and it prevents resources becoming a source of instability. Madam President, the environmental climate risks that can pertain to the inappropriate management of natural resources is another important factor. This is a matter also where security— the Security Council has deployed some peacekeeping This kind of analysis has already been incorporated into the United Nations work, such as in the Lake Chad Basin and the Horn of Africa, where the Security Council has active mandates. This confirms the viability and relevance of this methodology for the Council's work. That is why the Council should always mainstream environmental degradation and the illicit exploitation of natural resources and deficiencies in governments into its analysis and planning for peacekeeping operations because these can be risk factors for international peace and security. This, of course, should not replace the mandates of other relevant bodies of the United Nations working in this area. Guatemala reiterates its commitment to the preventive approach to promote sustainable peace by working with robust national institutions, ensuring a participatory governance of natural resources and respect for international law. Thank you, the President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Guatemala. I now give the floor to the representative of Burundi.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, at the outset, I would like to congratulate The Democratic Republic of the Congo, thank you for convening this high-level open debate.

We welcome the presence of Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DRC. Burundi also welcomes the fact that a theme was chosen which lies at the heart of the peace dynamics and the security dynamics in our region, the Great Lakes region. region at a time when natural resource governance is not simply a theoretical issue. It's something that our people are living with day in, day out. Burundi fully subscribes to the message set forth in the concept note for this meeting. Natural resources are not in and of themselves— well, they're neither a blessing nor a curse. These natural resources reflect the quality of If that governance is poor, minerals exploitation fuels war economies, it funds armed groups and prolongs cycles of violence which destabilize entire countries and spill over into neighboring countries. When the governance is high quality, those same riches can fund development, bolster social cohesion, and become a vector of regional integration. Our subregion. Offers a painful illustration of this. Burundi, as a neighbor of the DRC and a member of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, is directly feeling the humanitarian, security, and economic ramifications of the illicit exploitation of natural resources in the east of the DRC. We are seeing mass Displacement, refugee inflows, a proliferation of armed groups, and a weakening of legitimate local economies. For this reason, Burundi calls for resolute collective action that is commensurate with the urgency of this matter. Madam President, Burundi would like to highlight 4 priorities. First, resource traceability should become a key instrument of conflict prevention, not simply a trade requirement. Burundi calls for enhanced mechanisms, enhancing existing mechanisms, in particular those developed within the framework of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, as well as the regional certification mechanism, all the while ensuring that the above are harmonized with international initiatives, for instance the Kimberley Second, it is absolutely vital that we support local processing of minerals in producer countries. As long as added value goes outside the region, incentives for illicit exploitation will persist. Burundi calls for heightened support from the United Nations and the IFRS so as to promote regional value chains. Third, the regional dimension of this challenge requires regional responses. Armed groups benefiting from illicit resource exploitation know no national borders. Therefore, Burundi fully supports the idea of an enhanced cooperation framework bringing together the Security Council and regional organizations such as the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the African Union, the East African Community, as well as states in the region. Fourth, the environmental and climate dimension is inextricably linked with the prevention of conflict-related— resource-related conflicts. The growing scarcity of arable land, pressure on water resources, and ecosystem degradation are exacerbating intercommunal tensions in our region. A natural resource governance-based approach must bring together integrated climate adaptation strategies as well as sustainable management of common goods. Madam President, Burundi welcomes the outcomes we've achieved thanks to this debate, in particular the adoption of a presidential statement and the establishment of a group of friends working on natural resource governance. My country stands ready to contribute thereto in an active fashion, as we are convinced that lasting peace in the Great Lakes region absolutely requires transparent, inclusive, and equitable natural resource governance in the region. By way of conclusion, Burundi would like to reaffirm its conviction that mining and environmental The natural riches on our continent must serve our people. They must not serve war. This is the necessary precondition for the resource curse to be able to genuinely give way to a virtuous circle of peace and shared prosperity. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Burundi for their statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Belgium.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, on behalf of Belgium, I'd like to applaud the work you've done as part of your presidency of the Security Council in July. Thank you very much for taking this initiative to the highest level. At a time when we're seeing growing demand for mineral resources, ensuring responsible governance has become an international imperative that is necessary for the benefit of present and future generations. The Security Council has already recognized the link between natural resources, peace, and security, and this through specific resolutions, sanctions regimes, and the work of groups and panels of experts. Through its 2005 resolution, the Council reaffirmed its determination to take measures against the illegal exploitation and trafficking in natural resources. Against this backdrop, I'd like to make the following 5 points. First, we need a more consistent, coherent governance program which promotes cooperation between the United Nations, member states, regional organizations, industry, civil society, as well as other stakeholders. During its member— during its term on the Security Council, helped adopt a presidential statement on the topic, the first of its kind, and we very much support this initiative carried forward by the DRC. Second, member states should accede to and strengthen existing regulatory frameworks and standards. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the EITI, would benefit from a wider membership if more member states acceded to it. Belgium also supports efforts aiming to broaden the definition of a conflict diamond, and this within the framework of the Kimberley Process. Third, natural resource governance should be systematically mainstreamed throughout conflict prevention and early warning mechanisms, monitoring trends, for instance, growing demand for for resources and the growth in criminal activities in mineral-rich areas could help us to pinpoint emerging threats— threats to stability, that is. Fourth, the Council should strengthen and act decisively on the basis of conclusions drawn by panels and groups of experts by holding accountable those who benefit from the illicit exploitation of natural resources. Blocking subsidiary bodies means that the Security Council has trouble exercising its responsibility in this area. Next, minerals extraction is accelerating not just on land but also at sea. Peaceful governance must also extend to the world's oceans. Belgium is actively contributing to strengthening international law and governance anchored We are also well represented in laws applicable to the sea. We are a party to the UNCLOS Convention. We're currently a member of the IMO Board, and we are a candidate for hosting the BBNJ Secretariat. Madam President, by way of conclusion, transparent, equitable, and responsible governance of natural resources resources is not simply an environmental nor an economic imperative. It is an imperative of international peace and security. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Belgium for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Nigeria.

Madam President, Nigeria expresses its appreciation to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Your Excellency for convening this debate. We extend our thanks to the UN Secretary-General who delivered his statement earlier this morning for his valuable contribution. And our special thanks also go to the DG of the World Trade Organization, our dear Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for her insightful briefing. Nigeria's own experience speaks directly to the link this debate is exploring. In our Niger Delta area, control over oil revenue and years of crude theft financed militancy. until Nigeria's amnesty program and the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative began to change the trajectory. Indeed, it was revenue transparency and not enforcement alone that shifted the dynamic. It is sad that the same choice between resource-finance conflict and resource-finance development continues to play out wherever mineral wealth is contested. In the Lake Chad Basin and the Gulf of Guinea. The exploitation and theft of natural resources sustains networks that the Council already sanctions for arms trafficking and terrorism. Yet the Council's response has remained fragmented and country-specific, and no common framework yet treats resource governance and traceability as instruments of conflict prevention in their own right. Madam President, Nigeria offers 3 recommendations for transparent and accountable natural resource governance that promotes peace and security as well as safeguards the benefit and prosperity of people everywhere. First, the Council should extend the systematic tracing of natural resource financing across sanctions committees and the Panel of Experts so that resource revenue becomes a standard line of inquiry rather than an exception pursued on case-by-case basis. Second, the Council should back the regional bodies managing resource-linked conflict on the ground, including the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, with predictable funding and capacity-building initiatives rather than ad hoc appeals, and draw on their assessment and experiences when designing sanctions and mandates. And third, the Council should ensure that extractive sector transparency, including beneficial ownership disclosure measures feeds directly into the Council's own conflict analysis so that a visible dividend for producing communities becomes the measure of success. To conclude, Nigeria views today's debate as a starting point. We look forward to working with the Council, the African Union, and our regional partners to see our recommendations and the ones made by other delegations carried into Council practice and returning to this chamber to assess the progress made. That, for resource-producing states including Nigeria, is the measure by which this debate should ultimately be judged. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Nigeria for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Thailand.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to start by Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to commend the Democratic Republic of the Congo for its presidency and express our appreciation for convening this very important debate. We would also like to thank all the briefers for their invaluable insights. Natural resources should drive prosperity and sustainable development, not conflict. Weak governance enables exploitation, which finances armed groups, fuels violence, and undermines state institutions, making sustainable peace more difficult to achieve and maintain. The evidence from the UN Environment Programme shows that nearly 40% of intrastate conflicts over the past 6 decades have been associated with natural resources. Even more concerning, such conflicts are twice as likely to relapse into violence if natural resources continue to be mismanaged. In many conflict-affected settings, what should be a natural asset has instead become a liability. The resource curse reminds us that the fundamental challenge lies not in the abundance of natural resources but in how they are governed. Thailand speaks not only in principle but from direct experience as our own region is also rich in— with natural resources. We have therefore fostered cooperation to enhance good governance as well as put in place regulations to prevent illegal exploitation that could sustain armed conflict and cause societal and environmental harm. Madam President, Thailand wishes to emphasize 3 priorities. First, good governance is essential to natural resource management. Transparent, accountable, and inclusive management addresses the root causes conflict, prevents relapse, and ensures that resource wealth benefits all. In this regard, Thailand advocates for integrating natural resources governance into peacebuilding and promotes post-conflict recovery efforts. Strengthening institutions and promoting equitable management of natural resources are key to breaking the cycle of conflict Second, regional and international cooperation is indispensable for strengthening natural resource governance. Illicit trafficking of these natural resources often transcends national jurisdictions. Within ASEAN, we have worked to build cross-border cooperation from the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment sustainable environment to our very own, Thailand's own convening of regional dialogue and support for transboundary environmental monitoring along Chao River systems. Enforcing relevant international legal frameworks and multilateral partnerships can also foster sustainable peace— sustainable, peaceful, and responsible use of this resources. And as a Kimberley Process participant since 2003, Thailand believes that promoting transparent, responsible, and resilient supply chains through credible certification schemes can help prevent the exploitation and trafficking of natural resources that fuel conflict. We see value in exploring how such lessons could extend to mineral trade as well. Third, sustainable management of natural resources is not only a peace and security imperative but also a prerequisite for sustainable development. It directly advances the Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening institutions and improving livelihoods, therefore— thereby addressing the root cause of conflict. Thailand's signing of the BBNJ Agreement demonstrates our commitment to global ocean governance and protecting marine biodiversity for the benefit of present and future generations. Madam President, in conclusion, amidst today's increasingly complex global challenges, sustainable governance of natural resources requires collective efforts. Only through national— international cooperation in accordance with international law and the UN Charter can we ensure that natural resources become a source of peace, stability, and shared prosperity. With that, Thailand stands ready to work with our partners in accordance with these principles. Thank you so much for your question.

Thank you.

kind attention.

I thank the representative of Thailand for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Turkmenistan.

Thank you, Madam President. At the outset, I wish to thank the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this timely high-level open debate. We commend your presidency for emphasizing the close relationship between natural resource governance Governance, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and regional stability. Turkmenistan fully shares the view that natural resources should never become drivers of conflict, or rather, they should serve as foundation for peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity. As the country possessing the world's fourth largest proven natural gas reserves, Turkmenistan believes that natural. Wealth carries not only economic value but also international responsibility. Our experience demonstrates that when natural resources are managed transparently, responsibly, and for the mutual benefit of all, they become powerful instruments of confidence-building, regional integration, and long-term stability. Conversely, weak governance, illicit exploitation, and unequal distribution of benefits may undermine development, fuel instability, and prolonged conflicts. For this reason, Turkmenistan consistently advocates preventive diplomacy as the most effective and cost-efficient means of addressing tensions before they escalate into crisis. Peace begins with dialogue, and sustainable resource governance begins with trust. Guided by, by these principles, the UN General Assembly has, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, adopted 32 resolutions, including 14 resolutions dedicated to the security of energy transit, sustainable transport, water security, and environmental cooperation, as well as more than a dozen resolutions aimed at strengthening international peace and security through preventive diplomacy, the policy of permanent neutrality, and confidence-building measures. The consistency and continuity of Turkmenistan's Turkmenistan's proactive foreign policy aimed at strengthening peace, security, and sustainable development at both the regional and global levels were reaffirmed by the outcomes of the recent meeting of the People's Council of Turkmenistan. The experience of Central Asia demonstrates that cooperation on water, energy, and transport connectivity can serve as a practical confidence-building measure, strengthening regional stability while creating new opportunities communities for sustainable economic development. As Turkmenistan prepares its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2031-2032, we reaffirm our commitment to contributing constructively to the Council's work by promoting preventive diplomacy, responsible governance of natural resources, sustainable connectivity, and confidence-building as practical tools for maintaining international peace and security. Madam Minister, allow me to conclude with one simple observation: resources themselves do not cause conflicts. The absence of trust, dialogue, good governance, and respect for international law does. Let us therefore ensure that natural resources become instruments of cooperation rather than confrontation and foundations for lasting peace, security, and shared prosperity. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Turkmenistan for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal.

Thank you, Madam President. Thanking the Democratic Republic of Congo for organizing this session. As a follow-up to last week's ARIA Forum, this is an important open debate that brings to the Council's attention an increasingly important topic, the relation between natural resources and peace, and we owe these 2 debates to DRC, a very important initiative. Portugal wishes to highlight 3 points. First, there is a link between natural resources and international security, and the key concept in this equation is governance. Indeed, when natural resources are well governed, they contribute to the well-being of local communities and they generate prosperity. Thank you. This is particularly true of critical minerals, which are crucial for the digital and green transitions. Since natural resources know no borders, good governance also promotes good relations between neighbors and fosters regional cooperation. But when there is a vacuum in governance, armed groups occupy the space. They resort to illicit exploitation to finance the purchase of weapons, which fuels instability. The scenario gets even more complicated when we add the negative effects of climate change, which makes certain resources like water scarcer. Second, governance is a multi-level and multi-sector effort, and we already have the tools. At the regional level, the OECD has guidelines on due diligence and responsible supply chains. The EU has a regulation on conflict minerals. With the Portuguese-speaking community countries, CPLP, we have a thematic network on geology and mining. At a sectoral level, there are traceability frameworks on tin and on gold, and we are all familiar with the Kimberley Process and its diamond certification scheme. The work carried out by the PBC on environmental peacebuilding or by the Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition minerals is also relevant in this context. These efforts may seem fragmented, but they complement each other. The priority now is increasing coordination, fostering synergies and implementation. Third, the Security Council has a role to play. When analyzing specific situations of conflict, the Council could address— either in the briefing or in the text of resolutions— the impact of natural resources. It could also mandate peace operations, including both peacekeeping missions and SPMs, to report on the issue. It can also include relevant dispositions in sanctions regimes, as it's done in the past in the case of charcoal in Somalia. To conclude, as an incoming member of this Council, Portugal is ready to continue reflecting on how better to integrate natural resource governance in the work of the United Nations Security Council. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the representative of Portugal for their statement, and I'll give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

Madam President, armed conflicts today are financed through a complex networks, network of state actors and illicit actors. The organization estimates that more than 40% of internal armed conflicts over the last 60 years have been financed at least in part through income derived from the exploitation and illicit trade natural resources. The Security Council cannot ignore this grave state of affairs, and the Council's response should fully consider that when the exploitation of natural resources is carried out outside the rule of law and when it undermines state sovereignty, these resources cease to be an engine of prosperity but rather they become a factor that fuels conflicts, weakens institutions and deepens people's vulnerability. The illegal extraction of gold, silver, diamonds as well as strategic minerals and also Wood and fauna represent an incentive for direct economic financing to perpetuate the activities of different armed groups and criminals. The empirical evidence has shown that income derived from the illicit exploitation of natural resources finances the illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons. In conflict zones, these dynamics also tend tragically to be linked to forced labor, including that of children, and also people smuggling and other forms of exploitation. We believe that there must be a multidimensional consistent, coordinated response within the UN system to this, and that is why Mexico would suggest the following measures. One, comprehensively addressing the structural causes of conflicts. We need to adopt new strategies and measures to provide economic opportunities, jobs, and training for young people to prevent them being recruited by armed groups. It is also critical to recognize the role and participation of regional networks and local grassroots networks of women women in dialogue and mediating in conflicts as a result of knowledge they may have in the use of natural resources, and this includes in contexts where the effects of climate change exacerbate the competition to access resources. 2, as the global demand for strategic minerals increases, as they are critical for the energy transition and for technological development, we need to bolster international mechanisms of due diligence, transparency to guarantee that the global supply chains do not contribute to the financing of armed conflicts nor do they bring about new vulnerabilities.

3.

The conservation and sustainable use of natural resources should be an essential component of conflict prevention. That is why we need to strengthen the protection and restoration of ecosystems, the conservation of biodiversity, and we need to combat deforestation and the illicit trafficking of natural resources. And at the same time, we need to promote the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. Protecting the environment at times of armed conflict also means the subsistence and resilience of societies, preventing new conflicts. 4, given the transnational nature of networks that exploit and traffic in natural resources, we need to beef up coordination with regional organizations. Particularly in the investigation and punishment of people involved in these criminal activities. Among the good practices at the regional level, we wish to highlight the implementation of the mechanism of regional certification of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. Which was drafted to curb the illegal exploitation of natural resources. Madam President, I conclude by stressing that sovereign governance— sovereign, responsible, transparent, and inclusive governance of natural resources— is a critical way to maintain peace, to achieve security and sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Mexico. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Madam President, the tragedy of blood diamonds taught the world a painful lesson. When the value of a mineral exceeds the value of human life, peace becomes the first casualty. The United Republic of Tanzania believes this lesson must become the foundation of a lasting global response to resource-driven conflict, and we commend the Democratic Republic of Congo for bringing this matter to the attention of this country— this Council this month of July. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the illicit trade in diamonds fueled devastating civil wars in Sierra Leone, Angola, and Liberia. Armed groups exchanged diamonds for weapons, prolonging violence that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Through Security Council action and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the international community demonstrated the value of coordinated global governance in reducing the trade in conflict diamonds. It became evident that it is possible and something very doable. Yet the challenge has evolved with the critical and strategic minerals today. Today, the illicit exploitation of gold, tin, tantalum, tungsten, and other high-risk minerals continues to finance armed groups in several conflict-affected regions, threatening international peace and security. The Security Council has long recognized this nexus. The question before us is not whether we can act— we already have. It is whether we will apply the lessons of the blood diamonds to today's challenges by strengthening the global governance of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Tanzania firmly believes that mineral wealth should finance development, not destruction. As a resource-rich nation, we have strengthened oversight of our mining sector through regulatory reforms, digital mineral trade monitoring, improved revenue collection, and greater transparency. These measures have increased public revenues while strengthening accountability. Our experience demonstrates that strong national institutions are the first line of defense against illicit resource exploitation. However, national efforts alone are insufficient. Illicit mineral supply chains cross borders and demand coordinated international action. Tanzania therefore proposed 4 priorities. First, expand traceability to all high-risk minerals through interoperable certification schemes and digital technologies that verify origin and prevent illicit trade. Second, make transparency the global standard by strengthening disclosure of revenue, contracts, and beneficial ownership to enhance accountability and public trust. Third, promote responsible and equitable mineral value chains through greater investment in local processing, technology transfer, infrastructure, and skill development, ensuring producing countries share fairly in the benefit of their resources. And fourth and finally, strengthen Africa-led solutions solution and supporting existing frameworks such as the Protocol Against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources under the International Conference on Great Lakes Region and the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Peace, Security, Stability and Development. Madam President, United Republic of Tanzania calls upon this Council to strengthen the global framework for the responsible governance of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, ensuring that natural resources advance peace, sustainable development, and human security. Let the value of our natural resources be measured not by the profits they generate, but by peace, stability, and dignity they deliver to the people and communities from which they are drawn. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.

A very good afternoon, colleagues. Argentina commends the Democratic Republic of the Congo as President of the Security Council for the month of July, and we would like to thank them for organizing this timely open debate. Madam President, the Security Council has already addressed the relation between the illicit exploitation of natural resources and the financing of conflicts. Argentina believes that the Council's work should be limited to those situations that genuinely constitute a threat to international peace and security. We think that we should avoid the promotion of global regulatory frameworks on natural resources that are subject to the permanent sovereignty of states. This is a principle that is enshrined in Resolution 1803 of the General Assembly. We recall that the use of natural resources should not be carried out and the exploitation should not be carried out in territories that are in dispute, particularly when the General Assembly has urged the parties to refrain from taking unilateral decisions on the matter while the dispute remains. An automatic link between environmental challenges and threats to international peace and security could lead to undesirable policies and institutional consequences. Although environmental degradation can indeed exacerbate tensions or conflicts in certain contexts, the response should not be to look at security the issue. In this regard and in a constructive way as a potential result of this debate, my delegation believes it would be useful to begin by looking at the volume and kinds of natural resources affected by conflicts. This exercise would make it possible to pinpoint with greater precision where the Council's work is necessary and should be prioritized, avoiding general responses for very different realities. Argentina also observes the initiatives for establishing global approaches on natural resources. The experience of the SG's Panel on Critical Minerals and the task force should not be converted into a precedent to move towards regulatory frameworks of a universal scope without a clear intergovernmental mandate and without due respect for the remits of the relevant bodies. Many developing countries have established their own institutional and legal frameworks for the responsible management and exploitation of their resources. The protection of the environment and the management of natural resources are legitimate urgent goals. However, this should be addressed in specialized fora in line with their respective mandates through international cooperation and with full respect for state sovereignty. As well as state circumstances, priorities, and national policies. Madam President, enormous importance today is attributed to critical minerals. This requires a broad, balanced approach. The need to diversify supply chains and to broaden production has significantly increased demand for these resources. While the main consumers are mainly located in developed countries, a substantial part of the reserves and productive potential is to be found in developing countries. In spite of this, Argentina wishes to underscore that the production of critical minerals is not by definition associated with conflict situations. For instance, Argentina possesses significant reserves of critical minerals. In this regard, the regime of incentives for major investments has been adopted, which aims to provide predictability and legal certainty for strategic projects and to ensure that benefits contribute to the country's social and economic development. Investment should go hand in hand with technology transfer to the development of infrastructure, capacity building, and international cooperation adapted and tailored to the needs of each country. Only in this way can producing states add value value, strengthen their capacity for management, and make the most of the resources they have for the benefit of their people. In conclusion, combating crimes affecting the environment both nationally and transnationally should be carried out through international cooperation and strengthen national capacities without undermining the legal competences of every country nor their sovereignty to administer their own natural resources. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Mexico— apologies, the speaker apologizes— of Argentina for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Uganda.

Madam President, I have the honor and pleasure to make this statement on behalf of the President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who couldn't attend in person. First and foremost, Uganda congratulates the Democratic Republic of the Congo on assuming the presidency of the Security Council and commends Your Excellency for convening this crucial and timely high-level open debate. The nexus between natural resource governance, conflict prevention, and sustainable Thank you, Madam President. The pursuit of peace is of paramount importance to our region and the world at large. We wish to offer the following national perspectives on how we can collectively transform the so-called resource curse into a virtuous cycle of peace and development. Madam President, natural resources should be drivers of industrialization, shared prosperity, and poverty eradication. Yet the weak governance and illicit exploitation of strategic minerals continue to provide a lifeline to negative forces and armed groups, thus undermining the state sovereignty and regional stability. With global demand for critical minerals projected expected to spike for the energy transition, our collective urgency to secure these supply chains must be matched by an equal commitment to local value addition and transparency. In light of this, Uganda, under the leadership of President Museveni, has banned the export of natural resources in their raw home. Value addition on natural resources must be undertaken in the producing states and local communities to ensure a more equitable distribution of revenues generated by mining activities. True transparency is achieved when producing states are not just exporters of raw materials, but hubs for processing and manufacturing. This ensures job creation for the youth, thus alleviating the problems associated with unemployment and increased revenue from the finished products. This would cause a multiplier effect with government gained— gaining the financial resources to strengthen national national institutional oversight. Increased revenues will enable governments to acquire the necessary resources to build infrastructure, provide services to the populations, and put all regions under central oversight. Uganda firmly believes that there is a need for a holistic approach that targets the entire value chain. Chain, including international transit hubs and end-user destinations where illicit minerals are laundered and commercialized. To move from rhetoric to action, Uganda emphasizes 3 core priorities. One, strengthening regional frameworks. We must reinforce existing regional mechanisms such as the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, ICGLR, and its regional certification mechanism. Real success lies in harmonizing cross-border regulations to eliminate loopholes currently being exploited by smugglers. Fostering bilateral and regional cooperation. Madam President, genuine security Security and economic integration go hand in hand. Uganda remains committed to working transparently with our neighbors, including the DRC, to advance joint infrastructure and economic initiatives that offer legal, sustainable livelihoods to border communities displaced by war economies. Prioritizing local value addition. for free movement of goods and people. Madam President, Uganda welcomes the proposal to adopt a presidential press statement— a presidential statement and the initiative to establish a group of friends dedicated to natural resource governance. We must ensure that the United Nations system and international financial work in tandem to support developing states in building robust, climate-resilient trace and track infrastructure. In conclusion, Uganda reaffirms its unwavering commitment to working with the DRC, regional partners, and the wider international community to ensure that our commitment— our continent's immense ecological and mineral wealth finances a future of peace, dignity, and sustainable development for all our people. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Uganda for their statement. The representative of Pakistan has asked for the floor to make a further statement. I give them the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, Pakistan is compelled to take the floor again to respond to India's misleading statement, which was a futile attempt to distort facts and misrepresent the situation. First, on Indus Waters Treaty, the treaty contains no provision whatsoever permitting its so-called abeyance. India's unilateral action is simply illegal legal. The Court of Arbitration, in its award of August 2025, reaffirmed that the treaty remains valid, binding, and fully enforced, together with its dispute settlement mechanisms. India's weaponization of a shared natural resource for political coercion, with the stated aim of starving the population of Pakistan, is a serious breach of legal instruments agreements and international norms. The situation poses a direct threat to regional and international peace and security and is completely germane to today's debate. Secondly, the baseless assertion regarding terrorism is in fact an effort by India to conceal its sponsorship and financing of terrorism against Pakistan. India's terrorist proxies, the TTP, BLA, and Majid Brigade, have killed thousands of civilians and law enforcement personnel, including women and children, on our soil. India's involvement in extraterritorial executions, including in North America, is also well known. India is not a victim of terrorism. It is a sponsor of terrorism. India is also a perpetrator of state terrorism, including in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, whose population is being denied its right to self-determination in gross violation of numerous resolutions of the Security Council. India continues to disregard its obligations under UN Charter, including Article 25. Which requires member states to carry out the decisions of the Security Council. Jammu and Kashmir never was nor is an integral part of India. No unilateral or unlawful measures by the occupying power can alter the historic, legal, and disputed character of the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Madam President, India must fulfill all its legal obligations under international law, UN Charter, and Security Council resolutions instead of violating them and denying the established facts. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan for their statement. There are no further requests for the floor. The meeting stands adjourned.