Togo has become the 80th member country of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF).
The Togo delegation delivered a speech on behalf of Mawunyo Mila Ami Aziable, Togo’s Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic in charge of Energy and Mines, at IGF’s 18th Annual General Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
The speech underlined how the West African nation’s development plans, as envisioned by the President of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, aim to develop the mining sector in a sustainable manner to reduce poverty and increase the socio-economic benefits for the Togolese people while minimizing negative impacts and preserving the environment.
“Today, it is the IGF that we have chosen to join, with the objective of obtaining sound advice and the necessary support to pursue the transformation of our mining sector and succeed in making it a real engine of sustainable economic growth and a major lever for wealth and job creation.”
The government noted that earlier in 2022 it implemented a mining development and governance program and developed a mining cadastre to facilitate licensing and host relevant data and research related to mineral development in Togo.
“On behalf of our members and staff, I want to extend a warm welcome to the country of Togo,” said Greg Radford, IGF Director. “We look forward to helping them achieve their national objectives through good mining governance.”
Greg Radford (centre), IGF Director, at the 18th Annual General Meeting with delegates from Togo’s Ministry of Energy and Mines: Blaise Gozan (left), Advisor, and Kossi Adjehoun, Director of Mining Development and Control.
The IGF supports 80 member nations committed to leveraging mining for sustainable development to ensure negative impacts are limited and financial benefits are shared. It is devoted to optimizing the benefits of mining to achieve poverty reduction, inclusive growth, social development, and environmental stewardship. The International Institute for Sustainable Development has served as Secretariat for the IGF since October 2015. Core funding is provided by the governments of Canada and the Netherlands.