Pakistan has called for extensive measures, such as border controls and wider monitoring to prevent the illegal exploitation of developing countries' natural resources and their contribution to conflicts.
"The exploitation of natural resources is, at times, the cause of conflict, indeed, often the very objective of war," Pakistan's UN Ambassador, Munir Akram told the Security Council, which held a daylong debate on natural resources and conflict.
"The profits of exploitation also fuel and sustain conflicts," he said while underscoring the special significance of the subject for the developing countries, many of which have suffered from the practice during and after the colonial era.
Ambassador Akram strongly recommended that the Security Council establish a new task force of experts to study the exploitation of natural resources in conflict situations and consider "more extensive measures", such as border controls and wider monitoring.
Peacekeeping forces could be involved, but it was vital to address, not only the supply, but also the demand for and financing of illicitly exploited natural resources, most of which was from advanced countries, he said.
National processing of natural resources and control of the accompanying commercial processes could also help to end illegal exploitation of natural resources, the ambassador said, adding that the Peace-building Commission, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly could help countries in such endeavours. Ambassador Akram urged the international community to focus on promoting the equitable exploitation of oil and water, which increasingly were causes of conflict.
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