Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC debate on "Strengthening the fight against the financing of armed groups and terrorists through the illicit trafficking of natural resources" - October 6th, 2022

Mister President,

At the outset, I take the liberty of saying that I am honored to participate in this debate under your coordination. Your presence here is a clear demonstration of the Gabonese Republic`s commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security.

Mister President,

The recourse to the illicit trafficking of natural resources, including wildlife, for pursuing other criminal enterprises is a concerning trend in Africa. The link between natural resources and conflict prevention remains relevant and the Council must give its contribution, within its mandate, to the fight against illegal trafficking of natural resources, where they relate to armed conflict.

Almost four years ago, the Secretary-General was invited to brief the Council and highlighted how the control, exploitation and access to natural resources has been a catalyst for armed conflicts. Last June the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate issued a worrisome trend alert on the use of proceeds from the exploitation, trade and trafficking of natural resources for the purposes of terrorism financing, a phenomenon over which the Security Council already expressed concerns in resolutions 2195, 2462 and 2482.

Precious metals such as gold, silver, copper and diamonds, along with other natural resources like timber, charcoal and wildlife, have been a source of financing to terrorist groups. For instance, Da’esh has profited from its control of large swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq to generate income from oil and natural gas. Al-Shabaab has been imposing taxes on agriculture and livestock and, therefore, sustaining its resilience against the efforts to curb its action. It is also fresh in our memories how Boko Haram resorted to illegal trafficking of fish products in the Lake Chad Basin. Reports allude to gold mining as a source of funds for terrorist groups in the Sahel and Central Africa. 

Creative and diversified illegal means of financing enable armed groups of all sorts to have far-reaching clout.

Mister President,

There are open avenues for a constructive role by the Council, within the scope of its mandate, to address this issue.

Capacity building is a central element. Exploring how peacekeeping operations, for instance, could contribute to strengthening local institutional capacities management and regulation of extractive resources could be an avenue. One example was the authorization for MONUSCO to support the regulation of mining resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  

The Security Council may also have a role in encouraging capacity-building initiatives for domestic and international actors to curb the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources in conflict-affected countries.

One way to do it is in partnership with the Peacebuilding Commission. Given its unique composition and bridging mandate, the PBC is well placed to put forward coordinated efforts within the UN system with a view to creating sustainable cycles of peace and development. 

The Council has also already imposed sanctions on the trade of natural resources, with the aim of preventing it from fueling armed conflicts. The sanction regimes in Somalia and South Sudan are examples of this approach. It remains imperative, however, that all precautions are taken to avoid indirect harm to local populations.

Mister President,

Supporting the compliance with the legal framework provided by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is also essential to counter illicit trafficking. In this regard, police cooperation, including within multilateral initiatives, is a particularly useful tool. Police operations conducted worldwide have resulted in significant seizures and arrests, underscoring the relevance of intelligence sharing among agencies and States.

Initiatives that, for instance, increase certified extraction of natural resources, promote fair trade practices and support the development of local communities in conflict-affected areas are also key. These projects not only reduce the lawlessness that afflict extractive industries in many countries, but also helps governments to combat the corruption schemes that lubricate links between illicit production and armed activity. In fact, the Kimberley Process has revealed how cooperative arrangements involving civil society, governments and international organizations may lead to sound regulation. Trade in conflict diamonds has sharply decreased as a result.

Mister President,

Terrorism and organized crime are different phenomena. The fight against them requires distinct approaches and legal remedies. Equating one with another runs counter to the goal of finding an effective solution to the different challenges they present. In order to address the issue, the Security Council should tailor its approach to each case individually, in a case-by-case manner, considering the specificities of each situation. 

As it is widely recognized, there are no necessary or mechanical linkages between the exploitation of natural resources and armed conflict. On the contrary, such resources are generally an important source of prosperity and stability and they must be seen as such.

Mister President,

Brazil condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The repudiation of terrorism is a constitutional principle, which guides our international relations. Brazil is also firmly committed to the fight against organized crime and takes seriously its responsibility to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. We pledge unwavering support to the international efforts against the illicit traffic of natural resources and its use as a source of funding by any armed groups.

I thank you.