Africa
AFRICA needs transparent and fair-trade practices for a just energy transition, says Antonio Pedro.
Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), made the remark in a statement on Thursday by the Communications Section of ECA.
He spoke at an African Consultative Webinar on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and the UN Global Framework on Just Energy Transitions in Addis Ababa.
Pedro said that Africa needed to create a competitive mineral resources development environment.
According to him, this allows Africa to ride the crest of mineral prices because technological developments, including those that create substitutes, are developing fast.
He explained that, among other strategies to enhance the domestic footprint of the Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETMs) sector, was to curb export of unfinished products.
“African countries need to curb the export of unfinished mineral products through value addition and beneficiation to reap rewards at the higher end of the mineral value chains,” he said.
The webinar, held on Wednesday, was attended by officials and experts from governments, civil society and other stakeholders from the region.
Pedro noted the progress made by African countries to improve governance, but said challenges remained in many other areas, such as taxation, value addition, and the strengthening of linkages.
He added that the exploitation of minerals posed multifaceted environmental, social and geopolitical challenges.
“The abundance of cobalt, manganese, lithium, nickel, copper, graphite, and other minerals positions Africa as a key player in shaping the future of clean energy supply and, with it, global sustainable development.
“But, a just and fair exploitation will generate sustainable jobs, diversify economies, and dramatically boost revenues which, can support development and transformation,” Pedro said
On her part, Angela Kariuki, Legal Officer at Law Division United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), highlighted the UN’s efforts to support countries in transitioning to critical energy minerals.
This is through a just transition framework which aims to minimize environmental and social risked while harnessing the economic potentials of these resources.
Kariuki was resenting the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Group on Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition and the UN Global Framework on Just Transitions,
Key principles of the framework include assessing and managing nature and social-related risks, protecting local communities and promoting circularity in value chains.
Kariuki emphasised on the importance of protecting people and the planets through these efforts.
Also, Clovis Freire, stressed the importance of transparency and fair-trade practices for a just energy transition.
Freire is Economic Affairs Officer at the Division on Technology and Logistics of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
“Trust is crucial for a successful transition and there is need for communication and collaboration among stakeholders,” he said.
In his presentation on the Regional context of the UN’s work in the extractive industries sector, John Sloan, Economic Affairs Officer, ECA emphasised the potential of mineral based development for economic transformation in Africa.
He highlighted the region’s vast mineral endowments and the need for value addition and job creation in mining industry.
Sloan called upon the private sector, governments and civil societies to revisit incentives for job creation in sectors like manufacturing and the need to address need for global policy stability given rapid technology changes.
“There is need to focus on mineral based development in Africa focusing on value addition and economic transformation,” Sloan said.
He highlighted that ECA was working with partners to support specific initiatives on battery and battery component manufacturing in DRC and Zambia.
In a panel discussion, Nellie Mutemeri, University of the Witwatersand, said sustainable mining practices for critical energy transition minerals in Africa should focus on artisanal and small-scale mining sectors.
He noted that artisanal and small-scale mining in Africa provided vital livelihoods for millions, particularly women and youth.
“However, challenges persist including lack of transparency and accountability in chains leading to unequal benefit sharing and negative impacts on vulnerable groups,” he said. (NAN)
A.I
Aug. 16, 2024
Tags: Antonio Pedro. Clovis Freire ECA
