BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Minerals and metals are essential to economic development, infrastructure expansion, and the global clean energy transition. Since 2019, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has progressively advanced international efforts to improve the environmental sustainability of the minerals and metals sector.

In December 2025, UNEA adopted Resolution 7/3 on Strengthening International Cooperation on the Environmentally Sound Management of Minerals and Metals. Through this resolution, UNEA requested the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to compile submissions and convene dialogues among Member States and relevant stakeholders on international cooperation, resource recovery from mining waste and tailings, best practices, and technological, financial, and scientific capabilities related to the environmental dimensions of minerals and metals.

EVENT SPECIFIC INFORMATION: As part of the implementation of UNEA Resolution 7/3, UNEP is convening a hybrid event entitled "From Resolution to Action: Strengthening Environmental Law and Governance for Minerals and Metals".

This special event marks the first dialogue under UNEA Resolution 7/3, bringing together governments, United Nations entities, business and industry representatives, Indigenous Peoples, communities, and other stakeholders to identify practical priorities, share experiences, and explore cooperation needs related to environmental law and governance across mineral and metal value chains.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT:

• Provide an update on progress in implementing UNEA Resolution 7/3 and outline next steps in the lead-up to UNEA-8.
• Present recent developments related to the United Nations Task Force on Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETMs).
• Offer a platform for Member States and stakeholders to exchange experiences in implementing and enforcing environmental laws throughout the minerals and metals lifecycle.
• Explore how sustainability standards in mining can help producing countries and companies access responsible supply chains and international markets.
• Identify opportunities for international cooperation, financing, technology transfer, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange.

MEETING CONNECTION LINK:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35014588640433?p=9St4ghomJLt1DnRanE)