Summary
The 12th AGM of the IGF commenced on 25 October 2016, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Approximately 270 participants registered for the meeting, which opened with sessions focused on linkages between mining and the SDGs, including as they relate to gender, climate change, security and human rights.
Opening speakers stressed that mining can be an integral sector for sustainable development and in achieving the SDGs, but it must consider economic, social and environmental aspects simultaneously to achieve this potential. An assessment of the links between the Mining Policy Framework (MPF) and the SDGs was presented in the morning, and linkages between the SDGs and mining in regard to several of the areas that were identified as gaps between the SDGs and MPF were discussed in greater detail in the afternoon. Speakers in sessions on climate change, gender and human rights discussed the benefits of multi-stakeholder approaches, and ensuring that affected parties are represented and consulted in discussions on solutions. The discussions also revealed that there are a number of case studies, pilot projects and initiatives that can provide guides for taking action.
Lunchtime discussions included a review of effective governance mechanisms for a green economy. AGM participants continued discussing the first day’s themes during an evening reception hosted by the World Economic Forum.
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Formal Opening Ceremony
Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat, Scott Vaughan, President, IISD, Glenn Gemerts, Chair of IGF Executive Committee, Suriname, Joakim Reiter, Deputy Secretary-General, UNCTAD
Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat
Scott Vaughan, President, IISD
Glenn Gemerts, Chair of IGF Executive Committee, Suriname
Joakim Reiter, Deputy Secretary-General, UNCTAD
Participants during the Opening Ceremony
Mauritanian Delegates
George Banda and Ezekiah Chikambwe, Zambia
The SDGs and Mining - An introduction and panel discussion
Casper Sonesson, UNDP
Gillian Davidson, World Economic Forum (WEF)
Kojo Busia, African Mineral Development Centre (AMDC)
Nick Cotts, Newmont Mining
Perrine Toledano, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
The SDGs
Comparative Analysis of the SDGs and the Mining Policy Framework
Matthew Bliss, IGF Secretariat
Presentation of the Monday session findings: discussion on relating the outcomes to the SDGs - IGF Secretariat
Alec Crawford, Martin Brauch, IGF Secretariat, and Clémence Nare, IISD
Gender in Mining
Glenn Gemerts, Chair of IGF Executive Committee, Suriname, Rob Stevens, Canadian International Resources and Development Institute (CIRDI), Bolormaa Purevjav, Stakeholders Engagement for Sustainable Development, Mongolia, Kirsten Dales, CIRDI, and Gillian Davidson, WEF
Kirsten Dales, CIRDI
Bolormaa Purevjav, Stakeholders Engagement for Sustainable Development, Mongolia
Jan Pieter Barendse, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands
Climate Action: Adaptation requirements
Anne Hammill, IISD, Alec Crawford, IGF Secretariat, Jan Klawitter, Government Relations, Emily Farnsworth, WEF
Anne Hammill, IISD
Jan Klawitter, Anglo American, and Emily Farnsworth, WEF
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights
Glenn Gemerts, Chair of IGF Executive Committee, Suriname, Sharon Peake, Global Affairs Canada, Carlos Salazar Couto, SOCIOS Perú, Helle Bank Jørgensen, Global Compact Network Canada, and Jan Pieter Barendse, the Netherlands
Helle Bank Jørgensen, Global Compact Network Canada, and Jan Pieter Barendse, the Netherlands
Carlos Salazar Couto, SOCIOS Perú
Climate Action - Mitigation
Matt Spannagle, Climate Change and Development
Peter Wooders, IISD
Matt Spannagle, Climate Change and Development, Alastaire Dick, Sunshine for Mines, Mariana Heinrich, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and Peter Wooders, IISD
A Opening Reception hosted by World Economic Forum
Around the Venue
Jamba Kolee, and Alpha Oumar Bah, Liberia