25 April 2012: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) together with partners including ambassadors, international experts and researchers from Columbia University took part in a dialogue that highlighted a proposal on natural resource governance and transparency. The panel, held on 24 April 2012, in New York, US, was part of a week-long series of events on peacebuilding and natural resources convened in New York for political missions, UN staff, experts, and researchers.

According to the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), the events sought to share findings, raise awareness and catalyze action, including the development of curricula for courses and training programs.

During the 24 April meeting, which focused on “Experiences from Post-Conflict Peacebuilding and Natural Resource Management: Lessons for Bolstering Mediation and Transparency,” Jan Grauls, the Permanent Representative of Belgium, highlighted a proposal by Belgium, Gabon, and a Group of Friends on Natural Resources for a draft resolution on natural resource governance and transparency in the next session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Grauls stressed that previously autonomous topics such as mediation, peacebuilding and transparency are now converging into a nexus of related and mutually reinforcing elements.

The seminar also marked the release of a new book series on natural resource management and peacebuilding developed by the ELI, UNEP, the University of Tokyo and McGill University, published by Earthscan. ELI, UNEP, and the two universities are partners in the “environmental peacebuilding” initiative. [ELI Press Release] [Environmental Peacebuilding Website] [UNEP Press Release]