EU Raw Materials Week highlights the importance of the principles of the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition

On December 9, 2024, within the framework of the European Union Raw Materials Weekthe session “Equitable and Just Energy Transition: Implementing UN Principles on Critical Energy Transition Minerals” was held, organized by the United Nations Working Group on the Transformation of Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development, and facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). This event focused on the implementation of the principles and recommendations of the report of the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition, underlining the importance of ensuring responsible, inclusive and sustainable value chains for these essential resources in the global energy transition.

The European Union Raw Materials Week is an annual event organized by the European Commission since 2016, bringing together more than 1,000 participants from various sectors. In its 2024 edition, held from December 9 to 13 in Brussels, key topics were discussed such as safe and sustainable access to raw materials, technological innovation, the circular economy in mining, the application of high social and environmental standards in the sector, and international cooperation for sustainable and inclusive value chains.

In the opening remarks of the moderator Martín Abeles, Director of Natural Resources at ECLAC, it was highlighted that, while the growing interest in critical minerals such as lithium, copper and nickel poses significant challenges related to environmental sustainability and inclusion social, it also represents important opportunities to expand and make the productive systems of developing countries more complex. The Director of ECLAC recalled that mineral resources should not be seen only as mere inputs for the global energy transition, but as platforms to promote sustainable development, value addition and diversify the economies of countries with a strong reserve potential. and production, as is the case of many mining countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Abeles also highlighted that the report of the Secretary General’s Panel establishes a solid foundation for building consensus and global action through the proposal of seven guiding principles and five actionable recommendations. Among these, he highlighted the creation of equitable value chains, the protection of human rights, including those of indigenous peoples, and the integration of sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.

The event continued with a video message from Ditte Juul-Joergensen, Director General of Energy of the European Commission, and co-chair of the Secretary-General’s Panel, who underlined the importance of collaboration between countries for the operationalization of the Panel’s recommendations and the EU’s commitment to this international agenda. In addition, notable interventions by Elisa Tonda, Head of the Resources and Markets Division of UNEP, and Janez Potočnik, Co-Chair of the International Resources Panel, presented the global context of critical minerals management and the strategic role of the UN system and of international cooperation for its sustainable governance.

The panel discussion brought together experts such as Zuko Godlimpi, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, representing the co-chair of the Panel; Charlotte Adriaen, Senior Advisor on Critical Raw Materials at the European External Action Service; Peggy Hicks, director of the OHCHR Thematic Engagement Division; and Dario Liguti, director of Sustainable Energy at UNECE. Each panelist offered perspectives on the role of their institutions in implementing the Panel’s principles, highlighting topics such as strengthening regulatory frameworks, promoting human rights in value chains, and the need for multi-stakeholder cooperation mechanisms to maximize benefits. economic and social of these resources.

During the event, it was emphasized that the energy transition represents a unique opportunity to transform extractive sectors, but that its success depends on the ability to translate innovative proposals such as the Panel’s principles into concrete policies and collective action. Participants called for strengthening the role of the United Nations in coordinating global and regional initiatives, ensuring that developing countries are the main beneficiaries of the growing demand for critical minerals.

ECLAC reaffirmed its commitment to these objectives and stressed that it will continue working with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to promote value addition, economic diversification and environmental sustainability in the supply chains of critical minerals.

For more information, see the full report of the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition at the following link: Report of the Secretary-General’s Panel.