Côte d’Ivoire launches African Coalition Against Illegal Mining at UNCCD COP17 – EnviroNews

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Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Abou Bamba, officially launched the African Coalition Against Land Degradation and Environmental Pollution Caused by Illegal Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining. This was on the sidelines of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17),

Led by Côte d’Ivoire, this initiative marks a decisive step towards a united, structured, and sustainable African response to a phenomenon whose consequences extend beyond national borders. It reflects the determination of African States to make the fight against illegal mining a major priority for land protection, environmental sovereignty, and the stability of the continent.

Illegal artisanal and small-scale mining degrades soils, pollutes waterways, destroys forests and ecosystems, and threatens the health, food security, and livelihoods of millions of people. It also undermines biodiversity and the climate resilience of communities, while jeopardizing development and land restoration efforts.

Driven by transnational networks, global demand for mineral resources, and shortcomings in control and enforcement mechanisms, this crisis calls for a collective response. No State can, on its own, contain a phenomenon that crosses borders, watersheds, and forested areas.

“Africa is rising to defend its natural heritage. We are not waiting. We are taking the initiative. We are not merely reacting. We are taking action. We are not isolated. We are united,” said Minister Abou Bamba during the launch ceremony.

More than a political declaration, the Coalition is intended to serve as a strategic, operational, and long-term mechanism. Its objectives include:

• strengthening cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing;
• harmonising policies, regulations, and law-enforcement mechanisms;
• establishing a joint geospatial platform to map major illegal mining hotspots;
• mobilising funding for the restoration of degraded lands and ecosystems;
• supporting communities in developing sustainable alternative economic activities;
• protecting populations and preserving natural resources for the benefit of future generations.

The launch of this Coalition at COP17 is particularly significant. As the leading global forum dedicated to combating desertification, land degradation, and drought, the Conference provides a strategic platform for placing the impacts of illegal mining at the heart of the international land restoration agenda.

Côte d’Ivoire is calling on African States to join this dynamic of continental solidarity. It is also inviting development partners, financial institutions, technical organisations, the private sector, and all relevant stakeholders to support the Coalition, mobilize the necessary resources, and contribute to the deployment of large-scale solutions.

The Minister expressed Côte d’Ivoire’s gratitude to the UNCCD Secretariat and to all partners who supported the development of the initiative. He reaffirmed the ambition to make the Coalition a symbol of African leadership, a catalyst for global partnerships, and a concrete instrument for protecting land and communities. Through this historic launch, Côte d’Ivoire is opening a new era of African cooperation: one in which a united continent chooses restoration over degradation, cooperation over fragmentation, and action over inaction.