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Canada announces support for responsible natural resource development in Africa
To this end, on January 8, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Government of Canada is contributing $15.3 million over five years beginning in fiscal year 2012-2013 to the new African Mineral Development Centre (AMDC) through a Canadian International Development Agency grant to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, making Canada the lead founding donor.
In 2011, the African Union agreed to create the AMDC as part of its commitment to the Africa Mining Vision Action Plan. The Action Plan supports the transparent, equitable and optimal development of Africa's mineral resources.
The African Mineral Development Centre will serve as a:
- One-stop information centre on best practices in sustainable mining policy and management;
- Continental forum to discuss innovative ways to increase mining's contribution to sustainable development and poverty reduction in Africa;
- Focal point for identifying the needs of member states in the management of the mining sector and deploying appropriate expertise;
- Source of technical expertise to help African countries manage their mining, oil and gas sectors responsibly and transparently; and,
- Research centre aimed at promoting greater mining policy harmonization among member states.
Canada's contribution to the African Mineral Development Centre supports the implementation of the Government's Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and builds upon a series of recent Canadian-led initiatives aimed at helping resource-rich developing countries utilize the extraction of natural resources to promote and accelerate sustainable economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty. These initiatives include the establishment of the Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development, and support to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative and Extractive Industries Technical Advisory Facility.
These initiatives complement Canada's support to the AMDC, a coordinating body and secretariat responsible for implementation of the African Mining Vision - adopted by the African Union in February 2009 - limited in its scope to Africa. The Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development will be a centre of expertise that acts as a responsive service provider to developing countries around the world. It is anticipated that these organizations will collaborate on initiatives.
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative supports improved governance in resource-rich countries. Its objectives are consistent with the goals of the African Mineral Development Centre, which focuses on promoting transparent, development-centred and equitable management of mineral resource wealth in Africa.
