Canada supports sustainable natural resource development in Africa
OTTAWA: On Monday, 16 December 2013, Lois Brown, parliamentary secretary to the minister of international development and minister for La Francophonie, Christian Paradis, attended the third African Union Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development, in Maputo, Mozambique. During the conference, Brown helped launch the African Minerals Development Centre, to which Canada is the largest contributor.
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"Creating sustainable economic growth, led by the private sector, is the number one way to break the cycle of poverty," said PS Brown. "When managed properly, the extractive sector can generate substantial revenues for governments which they can in turn invest in much-needed infrastructure and basic services, including health and education. Local businesses can also benefit, which leads to greater job creation."
Mineral wealth, a tool for social, economic transformation
Approved in February 2009 during an African Union Summit, the Africa Mining Vision seeks to use Africa's mineral wealth as a tool for social and economic transformation and supports the transparent, equitable and optimal development of Africa's mineral resources. In January 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Government of Canada is contributing $15.3 million over five years in support to the centre through the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Canada's commitment to help African countries maximise the benefits of their extractive sectors helps ensure these benefits flow to their people in ways that improve their overall quality of life.
"Canada's support for the African Minerals Development Centre will help deliver guidance and policy advice to African countries on how to manage their natural resources responsibly and transparently," added PS Brown. "This means developing clear and consistent mining codes, legislation, and taxation systems that will facilitate both investment and local business participation in extractive sector development."
Sustainable economic growth is one of Canada's development priorities. Canada recognises that leveraging the resources, expertise and innovation capabilities of the private sector contributes to reducing poverty throughout the world.
