At the 7th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly the States Parties adopted the resolution on "Strengthening international cooperation on the environmentally sound management of minerals and metals (UNEP/EA.7/Res.3)", proposed by Columbia and Oman.

This resolution represents a critical step toward addressing one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time. It acknowledges that minerals and metals are not merely commodities, but strategic resources linked to environmental integrity, social equity, and economic resilience. By emphasizing international cooperation, the resolution recognizes that resource governance is a global responsibility with shared environmental risks and interconnected supply chains. The call for dialogue among Member States, the exchange of best practices, and capacity-building, particularly for developing countries, reflects an understanding that sustainability requires shared knowledge and equitable participation.

The resolution is also significant because it broadens the focus of minerals and metals management beyond risk and safety to include resource recovery, circularity (actions that are missing from the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, GISTM), and long-term environmental stewardship. In addition, the request for reporting on the implementation of environmentally sound resource governance strengthens transparency and accountability. 

 While overall the resolution supports more efficient use of resources, reduces environmental degradation, and contributes to global sustainability goals by fostering collaboration, innovation, and equitable participation in the management of minerals and metals it falls short of what of urgently required. It is failing to set targets for concrete actions such as the universal adoption of the GISTM and increasing resource recovery. Although circularity is mentioned, the resolution does not outline pathways for systemic change, such as redesigning products for recyclability, creating global secondary markets, or harmonizing standards for recycled materials. Finally, the resolution calls for enhancing technological and financial capabilities, especially in developing countries, but does not propose mechanisms to mobilize resources. 

Kristina Thygesen, senior expert at GRID Arendal says “that despite these limitations, the resolution lays the foundation for future progress. It signals a growing global consensus that resource governance must evolve to meet sustainability challenges and encourages Member States to take proactive steps toward systemic change. By fostering collaboration, transparency, and innovation, this resolution opens the door for transformative action that can accelerate the transition to a circular economy and ensure that minerals and metals contribute to a more equitable and resilient future”.