The Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, Abou Bamba, wants to make the fight against illegal gold mining a major issue for the protection of land, environmental sovereignty, and stability of the continent. He officially launched, this Thursday, August 27, the African Coalition against land degradation and environmental pollution caused by illegal artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The launch took place on the sidelines of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17 of the UNCCD), in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The Coalition aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation and information sharing; harmonize policies, regulations, and law enforcement mechanisms; establish a common geospatial platform to map the main illegal gold mining hotspots; mobilize funding for land and ecosystem restoration; support communities in developing sustainable alternative economic activities; and protect populations and preserve natural resources for the benefit of future generations.
“Africa is rising to defend its natural heritage. We are not waiting. We are taking the initiative. We are not just reacting. We are acting. We are not isolated. We are united,” said Minister Abou Bamba during the launch ceremony.
According to the Ivorian Minister of Environment, illegal gold mining degrades soils, pollutes waterways, destroys forests and ecosystems, and threatens the health, food security, and livelihoods of millions of people. It also weakens biodiversity and the climate resilience of communities, while compromising land development and restoration efforts.
Ivory Coast calls on African states to join this dynamic of continental solidarity. It also invites development partners, financial institutions, technical organizations, the private sector, and all stakeholders to support the Coalition, mobilize the necessary resources, and contribute to the deployment of large-scale solutions.
