At OACPS meeting in Yaounde: Mines ministers resolve to boost local transformation of critical minerals.

The meeting, held in Yaounde from May 23 to 24, was hosted by the Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development, MINMIDT. 

The 117th session of the OACPS Council of Ministers was placed under the theme: “Unlocking OACPS potential: navigating the green and digital transition with critical raw materials”.

During the meeting, the ministers adopted a position of forging towards the transformation of minerals, be they critical minerals or not. 

They also approved OACPS Mines Ministers' Plan of Action.

Meanwhile, the OACPS Secretariat has been requested to submit the decision to the 117th Session of the Council of Ministers for endorsement. 

The Yaounde Declaration was adopted after noting with satisfaction the outcome of the Senior Officials Meeting on critical raw materials held in Lusaka, Zambia from November 20 to 22, 2023.

It is in line with the European Union enactment of a legislative act on critical raw materials with the aim of guaranteeing access to critical raw materials, last March 2024

It comes after the launch of the Minerals Security Partnership, MSP Forum, by the United States, European Union and other partners on April 5. The MSP forum serves as a new framework for cooperation in the field of critical raw materials, which are of vital importance for the energy and digital transitions.

In addition, the Yaounde gathering equally fostered knowledge sharing and collaboration among ministers by providing an opportunity to share insights and experiences related to OACPS-EU strategic partnerships on critical raw materials.

During one of the sessions, the ministers held discussions with financing institutions on the development finance and investment in critical raw materials. 

The aim of the session was to explore avenues for financial support and investment in critical raw material projects in OACPS countries and regions.

Minister Fuh salute conduct of deliberation

In his closing remark, Cameroon’s interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry, expressed satisfaction with the quality and relevance of their deliberations during the two-day event, which was also attended by some experts in the mining sector.

“We have listened with great interest to the various aspects of this event, and we have taken note of all the recommendations made during the discussions at the meeting of OACPS Mines Ministers,” he stated.

In view to improving the development of strategy for critical minerals, Prof Fuh Calistus said the discussions touched on the challenges to be met in terms of energy, cooperation, legislation and infrastructure. 

“The financial challenges and the crucial issue of industrialisation in this very important sector are equally important and were also addressed during this meeting,” he added. 

He, however, called on the different delegations to invest in the implementation of the recommendations formulated in order to up the development of the mining sector in the respective countries.

“I stress this point because, following the example of Botswana and Namibia, mining is proving to be a catalyst for the economic and financial development of our countries, as well as for the wellbeing of humanity as a whole,” the minister told reporters. 

Cameroon’s hosting lauded

On his part, the OACPS Secretary General, Minister Georges Rebelo Pinto, congratulated the Cameroon government for the excellent hosting of the meeting, marked by valuable deliberations. 

“I want to again congratulate Minister Fuh Calistus for the commitment and engagement in presiding the works,” he said.

Regarding the issues discussed, Minister Rebelo Pinto pointed out that the different issues adopted at the Yaounde gathering will be subjected to the approval of the Council of Ministers of OACPS. 

“The ministers enriched, through their discussions, the document called the Yaounde Declaration, which contains the steps of the roadmap and all the ideas discussed. The ministers have manifested that they want to cooperate more to improve their policies and make sure that they take profit of the critical raw materials their countries possess,” he further explained. 

He also reiterated the need for OACPS states to stand together so as to be a strong bloc during negotiations with other partners or interest groups and to better share their infrastructures whenever need be. 

“The level of mining amongst the states are different, some are more advanced while others are slightly behind but if they work together, they will share experiences to improve their mining sector,” he added.   

About AOCPS

The OACPS evolved from the ACP Group, founded by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975 with 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific States as members.

The OACPS is centered on the sustainable development of its members and their gradual integration into the global economy with the ultimate objective of reducing and eventually eradicating poverty.

It also coordinates activities in the framework of the implementation of the existing partnership agreement with the European Union and consolidating unity and solidarity, among members.