At UN, Pakistan says natural resources must be instruments of development, not coercion

UNITED NATION, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2026) Pakistan told the UN Security Council that natural resources must serve as instruments of shared prosperity rather than tools for coercion.

At the high-level debate on “Natural resource governance: the foundation of peace, security and prosperity,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, warned against the weaponization of vital resources and called for equitable, rules-based global governance.

The debate was presided over by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which hold the 15-member Council's presidency for the month of July.

“Resource wealth can contribute to affluence with peace only when accountability by strong institutions, transparency, national ownership and prioritizing people’s welfare,” the Pakistani envoy said, adding that the minerals-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo's example is illustrative.

Pakistan, he said, has long stood in solidarity with African countries in their pursuit of sovereign control over their natural wealth. Africa’s experience demonstrates that resource wealth can contribute to affluence with peace, only when accompanied by strong institutions, transparency, national ownership and prioritizing people’s welfare.

For decades, he said, illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources have financed armed groups and deprived the Congolese people of the benefits of their country’s immense national wealth.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

He called for strengthened traceability mechanisms – including lessons from the Kimberly Process – responsible supply chains and regional cooperation, which are essential to disrupt conflict financing.

"Natural resource governance must remain firmly anchored in the UN Charter and international law, Ambassador Asim Ahmad said. The right of peoples to permanent sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources, as enshrined in General Assembly resolution 1803, remained fundamental.

"International cooperation must strengthen national capacities while respecting national ownership, priorities and policy space," he added.

"The Security Council has an important responsibility where the exploitation or weaponization of natural resources, threatens international peace and security, whether through the illicit exploitation of minerals that fuels and perpetuates conflict, or the unilateral actions to exploit shared natural resources as instruments of coercion in disregard of international law and binding treaty obligations," the Pakistan envoy said.

"The Council should make full use of the tools at its disposal, including preventive diplomacy, peaceful resolution of disputes, sanctions regimes and monitoring mechanisms to address these threats."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the Council, urging an end to the "plundering" of resources and calling for transparency in the global supply chain.

APP/ift