Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 5, 2026 Peace and security
The meeting, opened by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, was a key gathering for the United States, which holds the presidency of the Security Council for March. A concept note circulated by the American side among Security Council members calls for the Council to examine the impact of resource competition on global security.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said the rapidly growing demand for key 21st century resources is creating unique opportunities for development, but is also increasing geopolitical tensions.
According to her, minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements have become the foundation of the digital economy and the energy transition. In 2023, global trade in raw and semi-processed minerals reached $2.5 trillion, accounting for over 10 percent of global trade. Forecasts indicate that demand could triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040.
DiCarlo emphasized that this growth opens up enormous opportunities for producer countries, from job creation to economic diversification. At the same time, it intensifies competition for resources, fuels human rights violations, and harms the environment.
The relationship between conflict and resource extraction
The Deputy Secretary-General recalled that the production of critical minerals is geographically concentrated in a few locations, and many key producers are facing instability. More than 70 percent of global cobalt production comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar remains one of the largest sources of rare earth elements, and Ukraine has significant reserves of titanium and lithium. In the context of wars and conflicts, DiCarlo noted, unregulated mining undermines governance, fuels shadow economies, and funds armed groups.
The Security Council has repeatedly recognized the link between natural resources and conflict, imposing sanctions against the illicit trade in raw materials in the DRC, Libya, and the Islamist group al-Shabaab. UN experts help identify violations, trace supply chains, and prevent illegal exploitation.
Particular attention is being paid to the African Great Lakes region, where control over mineral deposits directly influences conflict dynamics. According to the UN, the AFC/M23 rebel coalition in the Democratic Republic of Congo earns over a million dollars a month from illegal mineral extraction and smuggling. Together with the DRC authorities and regional partners, UN peacekeepers are working to reduce the influence of armed groups in mining areas, and the Secretary-General's special envoy is promoting the strengthening of mechanisms for transparency and joint resource management.
Three priority areas
DiCarlo outlined three areas that she believes should be prioritized to ensure that countries experiencing conflict can harness the potential of critical minerals for their own benefit and that of the international community.
First, she said, extraction must produce fair and equitable results, which requires strengthening state institutions, improving regulation, and enhancing the ability of states to negotiate beneficial agreements. Second, international and regional efforts are needed to strengthen governance systems, increase the transparency and resilience of supply chains, and foster dialogue between producer and consumer countries. Third, diplomatic tools must be used to prevent and resolve resource disputes.
Concluding her speech, DiCarlo emphasized that the responsible and equitable use of critical minerals has the potential to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and become a force for peace, not conflict. This, she said, requires concerted action by governments, businesses, civil society, and the entire UN system.
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