Thank you Mr President,

At the outset, we would like to thank the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening today's timely debate. We believe this is an important debate because it rightly shifts the focus to how responsible resource governance can actually prevent conflicts and contribute to development, peace and prosperity.

In this context, we would like to make three short points.

First, we believe that natural resource governance can only be successful if it anticipates future security risks. And we further believe that this discussion should go beyond minerals, and include critical resources such as fertile land and water.

Second, we cannot ignore critical risk multipliers, such as environmental degradation and climate change. Their impact on fragile contexts is increasing – a fact which any natural resource governance - and conflict prevention for that matter - must address in a most systematic manner.

Germany aims at integrating these findings in its own actions. We have therefore increased investments in environmental peacebuilding, for instance, by contributing over 20 million EUR since 2022 in the Weat.hering Risk Initiative for programmes in the Bay of Bengal, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia and Nigeria.

It is also an increasingly important component of our bilateral partnerships. Germany and Mozambique, for example cooperate on strengthening environmental oversight of the mining sector.

Recently, a major milestone has been reached in Nigeria. Over the past 20 years, the Nigerian state of Benue has been severely affected by climate-exacerbated resource conflicts. Supported by Germany, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue has facilitated a peace process in Benue State, which led to the signing of a landmark state-wide Natural Resource Peace Agreement on June 29 of this year.

The agreement, developed with the active participation of marginalized groups, recognizes the impact of climate change as a driver of conflict, and contains specific provisions for the peaceful management of natural resources.

Third, and finally, the issue, we believe, cannot be solved the affected countries alone. We must look at the bigger picture, and we especially have to look at supply chains. Responsible supply chains are an investment in peace and security. Producing, transit and consumer countries all share responsibility for ensuring that mineral wealth benefits producing states and local communities, rather than financing armed groups. This requires effective due diligence, responsible investments and greater local value creation.

Germany supports this approach, for example in the DRC, through the Sustainable Resource Supply Chains Program, which specifically promotes the formalization of artisanal sector.

Mr President,

In conclusion, I want to ensure you that Germany remains committed to our common objective: Natural resources must contribute to prosperity and stability, not conflict.

I thank you.