The Republic of Kiribati has become the 86th member country of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development (IGF).
“By joining the IGF, Kiribati aims to seek the IGF’s expertise to learn more about mining opportunities related to the energy transition and best practices for regulating the sector,” said Riibeta Abeta, Permanent Secretary for Kiribati’s Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources.
“Kiribati also anticipates strategic development partnerships, technical assistance, and capacity building in value-added mineral products,” Secretary Abeta added. “With ongoing small artisanal mining operations, Kiribati is seeking to review and update its mining governance framework, establish and enhance management and monitoring systems, develop taxation and fiscal regimes, ensure fair distribution of benefits, implement mine closure plans, address abandoned mines, and build national capacity to ensure responsible and sustainable development.”
“On behalf of the IGF Secretariat, I am pleased to welcome Kiribati to the IGF community,” said Isabelle Ramdoo, IGF Director. “We look forward to collaborating with the government as it seeks to strengthen mining governance in the country. We also expect to learn from the country’s unique perspective and experiences with the sector.”
The IGF supports its 86 member countries in advancing their sustainable development goals through effective laws, policies, and regulations for the mining sector. We help governments take action to develop inclusive and gender-equitable practices, optimize financial benefits, support livelihoods, and safeguard the environment. Our work covers the full mining life cycle, from exploration to mine closure, and projects of all sizes, from artisanal mining to large-scale operations. Guided by our members’ needs, we provide in-country assessments, capacity building, technical training, publications, and events to advance best practices, peer learning, and engagement with industry and civil society. The International Institute for Sustainable Development has hosted the IGF Secretariat since October 2015. Core funding is provided by the governments of Canada and the Netherlands