The Regional Forum on the Implementation of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Strategy of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) will be held in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, from September 12 to 15, 2023. This event, organized by the DRC in collaboration with the ICGLR and other international partners, aims to exchange and agree on ways to effectively implement this strategy in the Great Lakes region .
The choice of theme for this Forum is “A regional mineral tracking system, a sustainable solution for responsible artisanal gold trade in the Great Lakes region”. This strategy aims to leverage the potential of the gold sector as a driver of economic growth and development in the region. ICGLR member states expressed their commitment to implementing this strategy following its adoption at a meeting of ICGLR mining ministers in 2018.
The forum will bring together experts and senior officials from the region as well as representatives of the private sector and civil society. The main objective of this event is to exchange ideas and find solutions for the implementation of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining strategy, with emphasis on the development of a coherent regional monitoring system. By fostering cooperation between ICGLR member states, this event aims to promote stability, sustainable development and ethics in the gold industry.
The holding of this Regional Forum constitutes an important step in the fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region. By creating a framework for cooperation and sharing of experiences, it will help strengthen mining governance and promote responsible and sustainable gold trade.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the ICGLR are thus committed to promoting artisanal and small-scale gold mining that respects environmental, social and economic standards. This forum will be an opportunity to define concrete measures to strengthen the monitoring of minerals and to fight against the illicit trade in gold.
In conclusion, the Regional Forum on the Implementation of the ICGLR Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Strategy in Kinshasa is an important initiative to promote responsible and sustainable gold trade in the region of the Great Lakes. By bringing together key players in the region, it will exchange ideas, share experiences and find solutions to improve mining governance and fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources.. This meeting marks a step forward in realizing the potential of the gold sector as an engine of economic growth and development in the region.