Advancing Responsible Resource Governance in the Great Lakes Region

By Innocent Icitegetse

Advancing Responsible Resource Management in the Great Lakes Region

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) is committed to fostering peace, stability, and development in the region, particularly through effective management of natural resources. This is primarily achieved by implementing the Protocol Against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources. At the heart of this mission lie two crucial mechanisms: the ICGLR Regional Committee Meeting and the ICGLR Audit Committee Meeting.

Regional Committee Meeting

The ICGLR Regional Committee on the Fight against Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, outlined in the Protocol against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, plays a pivotal role in the region. The "Regional Certification Mechanism"(RCM), among six specific tools, is a key instrument implemented to combat the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region. The Regional Committee is the primary body responsible for executing the Protocol and the Initiative.

The Committee plays a crucial role?in overseeing the Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM) to ensure compliance with set standards. Its responsibilities include establishing the ICGLR Audit Committee, which comprises government, civil society, and industry?representatives,?tasked with maintaining transparency and accountability.

Furthermore, the Regional Committee?also holds the authority?to adjust the Audit Committee's composition and manage the list of Designated Minerals. Additionally, it facilitates discussions among Member States to harmonize tax structures and develops templates for financial reporting to effectively combat smuggling.

The 28th ICGLR Regional Committee Meeting, held in Kigali, Rwanda, from April 22nd to 24th, 2024, aimed to review progress on implementing National Roadmaps for the Regional Initiative against Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources.?The meeting objectives included updating the Regional Committee on roadmap implementation, presenting the Regional Initiative's status and discussing the development of a tracking system for artisanal gold mining.?Organized by the ICGLR Secretariat and partners, the meeting gathered Member States' representatives and observers.

Audit Committee Meeting

The ICGLR Third Party Audit ensures that Exporters’ mineral chains (from mine site to export) conform to the Regional Certification Mechanism. ?It shapes guidelines and tools used by Third-Party Auditors, who undergo thorough accreditation processes overseen by the Committee. With the power to revoke accreditation for non-compliance, the Audit Committee guarantees adherence to standards. Regular audits of exporters?are conducted?to uphold regulations.

The Committee meticulously reviews and approves audit reports, disseminating vital information to Member States and exporters while managing appeals. Its actions maintain transparency and trust within the ICGLR. Third-Party Audits are coordinated by the Audit Committee under the supervision of the Regional Committee. The Audit Committee Meeting, therefore,?functions as?a hub for oversight, ensuring adherence to the ICGLR's standards.

In April, Rwanda hosted the 24th Audit Committee Meeting. Discussions focused on accrediting third-party audit firms?and enhancing?report review capacity,?alongside?exploring e-learning initiatives for knowledge dissemination.

The implementation of the Audit Committee and the Regional Committee Meetings is supported by GIZ, among other partners, with funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Kingdom of Netherlands.