The Zambian government has called for stronger regional cooperation among member states of the Great Lakes Region to combat the illegal exploitation of natural resources and ensure mineral wealth contributes to economic development and improved livelihoods.
Speaking at the 10th Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Mines in the Great Lakes Region in Lusaka on Monday, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet in charge of Finance and Economic Development, Siazongo Siakalenge, welcomed proposed revisions to the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources.
Mr Siakalenge said the revisions would strengthen implementation of the initiative’s six tools, address existing challenges and improve coordination among member states.
He said the revised framework should go beyond mineral traceability and certification to promote local value addition, industrial development, job creation and legitimate cross-border mineral trade.
He emphasised that natural resources must be managed transparently and responsibly to deliver tangible economic benefits to citizens.
Mr Siakalenge said stronger local participation in mineral value chains was critical to ensuring that communities in mining areas benefited from employment, business opportunities, skills development and improved livelihoods.
He also stressed that illegal mineral exploitation and illicit cross-border trade could not be effectively addressed by individual countries acting in isolation. He called for coordinated regional action, effective information sharing and stronger institutional capacity.
The meeting is expected to consider and approve the second edition of the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, alongside a roadmap outlining implementation responsibilities, timelines and mechanisms for monitoring progress.
The revised framework is also intended to support peace, security and economic integration in the Great Lakes Region by promoting responsible mineral governance and creating shared economic opportunities among member states.
Other speakers included Zambia’s Ambassador to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Karolina Stasiak; Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Dr Mubita Luwabelwa; and Democratic Republic of Congo Minister of Mines and Chairperson of the ICGLR Committee of Ministers in Charge of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba.
The Zambian Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development was represented by its Acting Permanent Secretary, Antony Chilengi.
