Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN, at the UN Security Council Open Debate: "Maintenance of international peace and security: Natural resource governance - the foundation of peace, security and prosperity"
22 July 2026
Thank you, Madam President,
I would like to begin by thanking the Democratic Republic of the Congo for highlighting this issue of the link between natural resource management and peace and security. And I also welcome the presence of H.E. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the DRC as the President of this meeting. I also thank the Secretary-General, as well as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization for their very relevant briefings.[1]
Madam President,
In too many parts of the world, the illicit exploitation of natural resources continues to fuel instability. The plundering of natural resources remains a constant feature of conflicts, breeding violence and aggravating the humanitarian situation. In Sudan, gold and gum arabic has become a key source of revenue sustaining the conflict. Smuggling of conflict minerals out of the Eastern DRC continues, armed groups there prop themselves up by controlling mining sites and imposing illegal taxes and fees on mining activities. In Ukraine, Russia continues to plunder and seize natural resources in the occupied territories and destroy Ukraine’s natural capital through scorched Earth warfare tactics.
Natural resource governance is a universal and multifaceted challenge. Whether endowed with abundance or constrained by scarcity, states face significant challenges in governing natural resources effectively. As the demand for critical minerals increases, so do the questions about their true cost to the communities and the environment where they are mined. We are all are part of supply chains. We want them to be secure, sustainable, and diversified. Therefore, we all also need to contribute to help ensure that natural resources serve peace and sustainable development, and do not come at the cost of human dignity.
Madam President, I will make three points.
First, when natural resources are governed well, communities prosper. When governance is corrupted, natural resource exploitation can become a driver of instability and result in human rights abuses and environmental degradation. A tapestry of international standards, due diligence guidance, certification and transparency initiatives already exist. Fragmentation and complexity may be an obstacle to efficiency, but it should not be treated as an excuse. Political will and capacity to implement already existing obligations and commitments should be strengthened. Coherence, harmonisation and interoperability between the different instruments should be promoted. That is also true for the tools at the disposal of the Security Council for curbing conflict financing. One such example is targeted sanctions. It is important to ensure that this tool can be fully utilized when appropriate and necessary, and that these measures are effectively enforced. All of this requires multistakeholder and international cooperation, as well as readiness to adapt to changing realities.
That brings me to my second point. It is important that governance frameworks remain fit for purpose. Case in point is the Kimberley Process. Since its launch in 2003, it has played an important role in curbing the trade of conflict diamonds. However, its narrow “conflict diamond” definition limits ability to address the full spectrum of challenges, including diamonds associated with human rights abuses or different kinds of armed conflict. It has not been able, for instance, to address how Russia’s diamonds are funding its war of aggression against Ukraine.
The modern gold rush also deserves a closer examination. Not uniquely, but discrepancies in production and trade statistics in certain countries raise concerns that gold is being sourced trough illicit supply chains, including from conflict-affected areas. I already mentioned Sudan, where insatiable external demand for gold generates revenue for both parties to the conflict that have caused unspeakable suffering. Being notoriously hard to trace, gold trade is also increasingly associated with organized crime networks, which are seeking to gain control over extraction sites, trade routes, and refining infrastructure. It exposes vulnerable communities to violence and exploitation. Unchecked, these trends can be detrimental to stability.
Third, we appreciate that the Presidency has also highlighted the impact of climate change for this discussion. Indeed, climate change is increasing pressure on natural resources, exacerbating already existing vulnerabilities in conflict-affected settings. For instance, competition over scarce water resources or pasture during transhumance creates intercommunal tensions that can erupt into violence. It is important to build resilience of affected communities, including through climate-sensitive mediation that accounts for competition for natural resources. The UN system has the insight and experience to accompany these communities on this journey.
In conclusion, Madam President, the overarching principle is clear. Natural resources should contribute to peace and development, not perpetuate violence and conflict. The Security Council can play a significant part in upholding it, and ensuring accountability when it is betrayed. And Latvia will continue to advocate for good governance of natural resources as a foundation for peace, security and prosperity.
I thank you.
[1] Text in italics was delivered in French.