UNITED NATIONS (AP) — SURGE Global demand for critical minerals What should be a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for resource-rich countries such as Africa to harness their wealth and improve the lives of millions of people can all too easily lead to violence and poverty, the World Trade Organization chief said on Wednesday.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned the UN Security Council that “the availability of precious minerals is increasing.” regarded as a strategic assetIt is not just a commodity, but a major source of interstate competition. ”
The major economies are compete for mineral supplies They say it’s needed to take advantage of technology, from smartphones to fighter jets. It argues that while conflicts intensify and developing countries are trapped at the lowest levels of production, the profits go elsewhere” she said.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said competition for lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earths is intensifying. armed groups benefit Victims of illegal mining and mineral smuggling in eastern Congo: “And civilians have paid the price.” ongoing conflict”
In Sudan, he expressed bitterness to the council. battle between government and militia Because political and territorial control has been facilitated by: natural resource developmentGold and gum arabic, in particular, are used in printing, paints, adhesives, cosmetics and other industries, “causing atrocities and the displacement of millions of people.”
“The minerals that lie beneath the soil of Africa and the developing world should never be used to finance conflicts thereon,” Okonjo-Iweala said.
He said there is a real opportunity not only for mineral resources to be mined and created overseas, but also to create a “more diversified, inclusive and win-win global economy” that will catalyze economic transformation.
She proposed three priorities.
1. Resource-rich developing countries should demand more local processing, refining, and “value addition.”
2. The international rule of law should be strengthened.
3. Most importantly, resource-rich countries should work together and leverage the leverage they have to reverse raw material exports and finished goods imports and encourage investment.
“The world cannot achieve energy security, green transition and digital transformation without them,” Okonjo-Iweala said. “Africa alone produces about 30% of the world’s important minerals, but less than half of its mineral reserves have been explored.”
Congo accounts for more than 70% of global cobalt production, South Africa has the world’s largest reserves of platinum and manganese, and Zambia and Congo are major producers of copper, he said. 10 to 12 countries in Africa have commercially mineable lithium reserves, and 15 to 20 countries have commercially mineable rare earth deposits.
