The Asia-Pacific region is home to some of the world's largest and most diverse reserves of minerals, energy, water, and biomass. The region accounts for around 70% of global mining production and consumption, including most of the world's bauxite, copper, iron, nickel, silver, tin, and zinc.  

However, the region also faces significant challenges in ensuring the efficient, equitable, and sustainable use of its resources, such as resource depletion, environmental degradation, pollution, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions.  

Aiming to move towards more sustainable resource management, the Ministerial Declaration endorsed at the Third Asian and Pacific Energy Forum invites member States and other relevant stakeholders to consider applying the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) Principles and Requirements. The Forum was hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). 

By adopting UNRMS Principles and Requirements, the Asia-Pacific region can enhance its resource security, resilience, and competitiveness while contributing to global efforts to achieve a secure, sustainable, and interconnected energy future. 

This endorsement follows the recent approval by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), amplifying the global momentum for UNRMS. The UNRMS Principles, now recognized and supported at the highest levels of international governance, are set to play a crucial role in shaping policies and strategies for resource management worldwide. 

“The inclusion of UNRMS Principles in the Ministerial Declaration underscores our collective commitment to a future where resources are managed with utmost efficiency, equity, and sustainability,” said Dario Liguti, Director of Sustainable Energy, UNECE. “We are on a path to ensuring that our planet's resources are utilized in ways that are not just economically viable but also socially just and environmentally balanced.” 

The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) also features in the European Union’s draft Critical Raw Materials Act, marking a significant step towards its application in one of the world’s largest and most influential economic blocs. Additionally, China is making strides towards the application of these Principles, indicating a broad-based international consensus.  

The recent G20 Youth Summit held in India further called for a “fair, circular and more sustainable supply of critical minerals for the energy transition, by including local communities in line with the principles of the UNRMS and other similar internationally accepted initiatives.” 

In 2022, Queensland, Australia, set a precedent by becoming the first jurisdiction globally to legislate the application of UNFC to geothermal energy. This move has led the way for other nations and regions to follow suit, showcasing the practicality and efficacy of UNFC and UNRMS in real-world applications.