Regional forum in Kinshasa: towards responsible artisanal gold mining in the Great Lakes region
Congolese Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde recently opened the regional forum on the implementation of the ICGLR (International Conference on the Great Lakes Region) strategy for artisanal and small-scale mining gold. ladder. This event, which takes place from September 12 to 16, aims to find solutions to stabilize the illicit exploitation of gold and promote sustainable development in this dangerous sector for operators.
In his opening speech, Prime Minister Sama Lukonde paid tribute to the President of the Republic, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, for his leadership in the organization of this forum. He also praised the members of the ICGLR for their contribution to holding this event in Kinshasa.
This regional forum brings together mining experts from different backgrounds and aims to consider the establishment of a regional mineral monitoring system to ensure responsible trade in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. in the Great Lakes region.
Gold mining in this region is a vital economic activity, but it is unfortunately associated with problems such as illegal mining, conflict financing, human rights violations and the deterioration of the ‘environment. It is therefore essential to eliminate these harmful practices and ensure responsible, ethical and legal extraction of traded gold. Gold traceability has become a critical issue, and many countries and organizations are engaged in establishing traceability mechanisms for gold originating from the Great Lakes region.
Organized by the ICGLR Secretariat and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, this regional forum marks an important step in strengthening cooperation and sustainable development in the gold industry within the Great Lakes region. It offers a unique platform to bring together stakeholders, exchange knowledge and address the complex challenges related to the sustainable development of the gold mining sectors.
Concluding his speech, Prime Minister Sama Lukonde expressed his gratitude to the ICGLR Member States present and encouraged them to work together to strengthen the traceability of gold in the region. He highlighted the importance of promoting a more responsible, ethical and sustainable trade in artisanal gold in the Great Lakes region.
This regional forum is part of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s desire to develop responsible mining and contribute to the stability and prosperity of the Great Lakes region.. It represents a unique opportunity to find concrete solutions to put an end to the illicit exploitation of gold and promote sustainable development in this key sector of the Congolese economy.