The 15th Annual General Meeting of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) opened Tuesday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Around 400 delegates are attending, representing 80 governments along with members of industry, academia, civil society and international organisations.
The theme of this year’s meeting was ‘mining in a changing climate’.
“This year’s meeting will focus on how the mining sector can not only adapt to climate change but also play a role in lessening its impacts.” said Greg Radford, Director of the IGF Secretariat.
“The AGM will discuss how governments can ensure enabling policy conditions are in place within their jurisdictions that allow and encourage mining and mineral exploration companies to invest in adaptation and mitigation activities.”
Well planned and implemented actions from the mining sector, and the private sector more broadly, will help countries achieve international commitments such as the sustainable development goals, the nationally determined contributions agreed upon under the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Sessions during the 5 day members only event will focus on a wide range of issues, including sustainable supply chains, environmental and social impact assessments, renewable energy, government strategies for low-carbon minerals and supporting transitions in coal regions.
