Topic:
Country: United States of America
Delegate Name: Roziya Rustamova
Conflict minerals can be found almost everywhere in our everyday lives, from cars, to phones, and jewelry; these goods are extracted with conflict minerals. These conflict minerals can include anything from gold, tantalum, tin, tungsten and much more. But the thing that makes these minerals conflict is the result it has in funding armed conflicts, human rights abuses, violence, and environmental degradation. The extraction and trade of conflict minerals leads to violation of basic human rights, displacement, and exploitation of vulnerable communities. The United States recognizes the importance of addressing the global issue of conflict minerals, and has worked to implement a regulatory framework aiming at reducing the trade and use of conflict minerals.
The United States has implemented the policy that mandates companies to disclose about products containing conflict minerals, especially tantalum, tin, and gold that are sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This policy was created with a sole purpose of reducing the trade of minerals that finance armed groups, human rights violations, and coming up with a more responsible sourcing. The existing framework governing conflict minerals has promoted transparency and awareness about responsible sourcing practices. But the United States advocates for a more comprehensive approach, that both highlights peace, diplomatic efforts, and addresses the root causes of conflict minerals. It continues to work on improving the issues of conflict minerals both domestically and globally. The United States has actively engaged with UN and has supported UN actions aimed at addressing conflict minerals impacts. Through the use of financial support, and diplomatic engagement, the USA works alongside the United Nations to further improve responsible sourcing, and reduce the exploitation of conflict minerals.
In order to reduce conflict minerals, the USA provides solutions to address the challenges behind conflict minerals and calls for action from the UN. It strongly believes in promoting mineral sourcing through a regularity framework such as the Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act, and encourages companies to disclose the origins of minerals. It also hopes that by combining regulatory measures, and initiates, the USA can further promote ethical mineral sourcing, and reduction of the impact of conflict minerals. The United States also looks forward to working and collaborating with other nations to find a solution for the trade and exploitation of conflict minerals.
