Canada
NOTES FOR THE THEMATIC DISCUSSION AT CSD 14 (2006)
Industrial development and sustainable natural resource management
Thursday, May 4 t", 15:00 - 18 :00 Rm 2
Mr. Chairman:
The Canadian delegation is pleased to have the opportunity to share its
experiences in promoting industrial development )based on sustainable natural
resource management . We believe that natural resources endowment~provides a
fundamental opportunity for poverty alleviation if production and use of resources
c
i-s-carried out in a manner consistent with sustainable development principles.
Almost all countries, have access to some mineral resources which makes them an
important focus for development . In order to maximize the contribution of
mineral resources to society, good governance and competitiveness are two key
factors in a successful sustainable development strategy. In many countries, poor
governance has hindered the contribution of mineral and other natural resources to
society.
With good governance, mining investment can spur wider industrial development
and sustainable economic growth .I ,can do so in remote regions that would have
little development alternatives . That has been shown in countries like Canada,
Australia and Chile among others . Beyond the income generated by mining,
development also flows from investment in infrastructure (roads, energy, water,
etc), in training and education, .-.in medical care and the stimulation of
s'r Z-y
bia s& in local communities . ( ZUV?I"
/
As a global leader in mining, Canada has taken initiatives in promoting good
governance in the management of mineral resources . It is with this in mind, that
Canada actively supported the establishment of regional intergovernmental
associations like the Africa Mining Partnership and of the Mines Ministries of the
Americas.
At the global level, Canada and South Africa co-sponsored the Intergovernmental
Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development . The Forum,
created as a partnership at the WSSD, now has 35 member countries, and provides
a framework to discuss the opportunities provided by mining, minerals and metals,
I
and.to respond. to the challenges they pose . Members meet to share experiences
and information, to consider and to provide advice and, where appropriate, make
recommendations for consideration by governments, intergovernmental bodies and
others. These recommendations will identify best practices in dealing with the
challenges mineral resources development pose to sustainable development as
well as the development opportunities they provide .
In addition to Canada, the Forum has received the active support from a number of
donors that include multilateral agencies such as the United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the World Bank and the United
Kingdom's Department for International Development .
Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity to share some of Canada's
experiences in addressing the opportunities and challenges in promoting industrial
development in relation to sustainable natural resource management .
Thank you.
Industrial development and sustainable natural resource management
Thursday, May 4 t", 15:00 - 18 :00 Rm 2
Mr. Chairman:
The Canadian delegation is pleased to have the opportunity to share its
experiences in promoting industrial development )based on sustainable natural
resource management . We believe that natural resources endowment~provides a
fundamental opportunity for poverty alleviation if production and use of resources
c
i-s-carried out in a manner consistent with sustainable development principles.
Almost all countries, have access to some mineral resources which makes them an
important focus for development . In order to maximize the contribution of
mineral resources to society, good governance and competitiveness are two key
factors in a successful sustainable development strategy. In many countries, poor
governance has hindered the contribution of mineral and other natural resources to
society.
With good governance, mining investment can spur wider industrial development
and sustainable economic growth .I ,can do so in remote regions that would have
little development alternatives . That has been shown in countries like Canada,
Australia and Chile among others . Beyond the income generated by mining,
development also flows from investment in infrastructure (roads, energy, water,
etc), in training and education, .-.in medical care and the stimulation of
s'r Z-y
bia s& in local communities . ( ZUV?I"
/
As a global leader in mining, Canada has taken initiatives in promoting good
governance in the management of mineral resources . It is with this in mind, that
Canada actively supported the establishment of regional intergovernmental
associations like the Africa Mining Partnership and of the Mines Ministries of the
Americas.
At the global level, Canada and South Africa co-sponsored the Intergovernmental
Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development . The Forum,
created as a partnership at the WSSD, now has 35 member countries, and provides
a framework to discuss the opportunities provided by mining, minerals and metals,
I
and.to respond. to the challenges they pose . Members meet to share experiences
and information, to consider and to provide advice and, where appropriate, make
recommendations for consideration by governments, intergovernmental bodies and
others. These recommendations will identify best practices in dealing with the
challenges mineral resources development pose to sustainable development as
well as the development opportunities they provide .
In addition to Canada, the Forum has received the active support from a number of
donors that include multilateral agencies such as the United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the World Bank and the United
Kingdom's Department for International Development .
Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity to share some of Canada's
experiences in addressing the opportunities and challenges in promoting industrial
development in relation to sustainable natural resource management .
Thank you.
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