Event Summary
This critical dialogue emphasized that the global energy transition, heavily dependent on critical minerals, must not reinforce existing inequalities but support inclusive socio-economic development in resource-rich countries.
The IGF’s Ege Tekinbas underscored the urgency of embedding gender equality and social inclusion into the mining sector to prevent increases in environmental degradation, gender-based violence, and displacement, which particularly affect women in Indigenous and rural communities. Drawing on examples from Thailand and Peru, Tekinbas illustrated how excluding women’s voices from consultations and ignoring human rights have led to persistent social unrest, conflicts, and severe reputational risks for governments and companies. She also stressed the importance of aligning mining governance with international frameworks.
Participants highlighted the need to further align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP). The discussion also recognized opportunities within the energy transition, such as improved technology uptake in communities, job creation in sectors like automotive manufacturing, and the empowerment of women through targeted employment and local content policies. However, participants agreed that fully realizing these opportunities requires proactive governance, meaningful community participation—including trade unions—and robust gender-responsive due diligence across critical minerals supply chains. The panel reiterated the importance of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals to bridge the gap between meeting the supply chain demand and generating local and gender-responsive socio-economic benefits.
This side event of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) was co-organized by the IGF and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).