Addressing the Committee, ICGLR Executive Secretary Dr Mubita Luwabelwa underscored that responsible mineral governance is essential to ensuring that the Great Lakes Region's natural resources contribute meaningfully to employment, investment, regional integration and improved livelihoods. In this context, he called for a comprehensive assessment of the Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM), taking stock of its achievements, implementation challenges and areas requiring improvement. He further emphasised the importance of credible third-party audits and reliable regional mineral data to strengthen transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making. @UEauBurundi @IMPACTtransform #GIZ

Day 2 of the 33rd ICGLR Regional Committee Meeting in Lusaka 🇿🇲 focused on progress in implementing the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR), with discussions on ✳️Mineral certification ✳️Traceability ✳️Data management and ✳️Regional cooperation.

H.E Dr. Mubita Luwabelwa, Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, urged delegates to strengthen implementation of the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and its Regional Certification Mechanism. The Great Lakes Region's mineral resources hold considerable potential for economic growth, employment, and development. Yet weak governance, illegal exploitation, and illicit trade continue to threaten peace and security. 🎉As the region approaches the 20th anniversary of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in December 2026, the meeting is a chance to take stock of progress and identify outstanding challenges. Dr. Luwabelwa encouraged delegates to focus on practical lessons and actions capable of delivering measurable progress. Participants are exchanging views on practical approaches to certification, traceability, data management, peer review, and compliance, as well as the roles of governments, industry, and civil society in building credible mineral governance systems. The aim is to adapt useful practices to the realities of mineral production and trade in the Great Lakes Region. The outcomes of these discussions will help inform the Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Mines on 11 October 2026.

In June 2026, the Regional Committee approved the revised RINR, which was a significant step since the 32nd Regional Committee Meeting in Gitega, Burundi, in April 2026. The 33rd meeting in Lusaka presents the opportunity to assess implementation of the RINR's six tools, review progress against national roadmaps, and agree on practical measures to address remaining gaps. The focus is on turning regional commitments into effective implementation across Member States. 👉The revised RINR Evaluation Report is now available, providing insights into progress, challenges and opportunities for strengthening responsible mineral governance in the Great Lakes Region. 🔗 Read the report: icglr.org/wp-content/uploads…

Welcoming delegates to Lusaka, Mr. Anthony Chilengi, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Republic of Zambia, and guest of honour, reaffirmed Zambia's commitment to addressing the illegal exploitation of natural resources and strengthening responsible mineral governance. In his opening remarks, he outlined measures being advanced nationally, including: ✅Establishing a dedicated Department for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining to strengthen formalisation, regulation, and support for the sector. ✅Strengthening inspections and monitoring through the Minerals Regulation Commission. ✅Introducing a mineral tagging and traceability system to improve accountability and track minerals from mine sites to export. Mr Chilengi emphasised that countries cannot address illegal mineral exploitation and illicit mineral flows independently, given the cross-border nature of mineral supply chains. Stronger cooperation, information sharing, and coordinated action among Member States remain central to the regional response.

The 33rd Meeting of the ICGLR Regional Committee against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources officially opens today in Lusaka, Zambia. From 8–10 October 2026, representatives of ICGLR Member States are convening to review progress and strengthen regional cooperation against the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes Region. The meeting will examine progress in implementing the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR), identify gaps requiring further action, and consider measures to strengthen mineral governance at national and regional levels. Discussions will also inform the Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Mines scheduled for 12 October 2026. The meeting is funded by @UEauBurundi, through the Regional Project to Contribute to the Improvement of Mineral Resources Governance in the Great Lakes Region, implemented by @IMPACTtransform within the framework of the European Union’s Peace and Security Programme. #GreatLakesRegion #MineralGovernance