Illegal Trade in Natural Resources - What can Brussels do?

Objectives of the Conference

On 29-30 September 2010 the Institute for Environmental Security organised an international conference on 'Illegal Trade in Natural Resources - What can Brussels do?'. The event, held at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels, sought to promote EU-based solutions for combatting illegal trade in natural resources and aimed at:

• Improving understanding: Provide a global overview of the issues at stake through various perspectives (environment, trade, development, peace & security). Improve the understanding of the dynamics and actors behind illegal trade in natural resources.
• Assessing existing solutions: The conference will provide an overview and evaluation of existing international legal and voluntary initiatives undertaken to curb illegal trade in natural resources.
• Identifying EU's options: The conference seeks the answer to the question 'What can Brussels do?' and aims to propose concrete steps that the European Union could take to positively impact global natural resources trade and support the fight against corruption and crime based on illegal exploitation of natural resources.
• Enhancing cooperation: Offer an opportunity for policy makers, researchers, NGOs, IGOs and the private sector to exchange ideas on how to improve the fight against the import of illegally extracted natural resources in the European Union.

Conference Materials

• Good deal bad deal - Report of the Conference.
• Programme
• List of Participants
• Background Reading Materials
• Poster 
• Presentations:

• Keynote speaker: Senator S. Baloch, Balochistan Institute for Development

Session I: Problem - Illegal trade in natural resources, a global issue and the limits to existing tools

• R. de Koning, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
• Joost Van Der Zwan, International Alert X
• J. Zboril, European Economic and Social Committee
• H. Mitchell, Resource Consulting Services

Session II: The politics and economics of illegal trade

• A. Deletroz, International Crisis Group
• M. Gary, Transparency International

Session III: Solutions & Gaps - International, legal and voluntary initiatives

A. Government & Legislative Action:

• S. Chardon, European Commission
• L. Rio, ENVSEC
• A. Taoufiq-Cailliau, United Nations Environment Programme

B. Corporate & Civil Society Action:

• M. Muller, Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC)
• I. Smillie, Diamond Development Initiative International
• M. Van Dorp, DUVILLA

Trade in Natural Resources: A Role for Remote Sensing?

• G. Campbell, European Space Agency X

Maps

Maps 1 & 2 Mining the Conflict Wood Exports from Congo Basin
Map 3 Mineral and Oil Belts
Maps 4 & 5 Natural Resources Flows Gorilla Territory affected by War, Mining and Logging
Maps 6 & 7 The Bushmeat Chain Reaction Suspicious Timber Supply

Partner Organisations

•  Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC)                 
•  European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)                 
• Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE EU & GLOBE Europe)                
• International Alert                 
•  International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)                 
•  Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation                 
•  Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)                 
•  Transparency International                 
•  Worldwatch Institute