Civil society organizations are organizing a conference this Wednesday and Thursday (28 and 29) on "Governance of Extractive Resources and Conflict Prevention in Mozambique: Opportunities and challenges for inclusive and peaceful management of extractive resources in Mozambique".

According to a press release, the meeting, which is funded by the European Union, USAID and Bread for the World, aims to gather local, regional and international experiences to make an assertive contribution to the debate on good practices in the governance of natural resources and ways of preventing the resulting conflicts, as well as contributing to the ongoing reforms in the resource exploitation sector.

The relevance of this event is due to the recognition that, despite the extractive industry being the sub-sector that contributes most to the country's economy, as a result of the increase in investment over the last two decades, the benefits it brings to citizens are still incipient.

At community level, the exploitation of resources has been a source of conflict that reinforces mistrust, perceptions of corruption, marginalization and inequality.

It should be noted that in recent years, the Mozambican government has been readjusting the legal framework that regulates this sector, including the revision of the Mining and Petroleum Law, as well as the ongoing debate to create the Sovereign Fund. Thus, the conference will be a space to reflect on the chain and policies for managing extractive resources.

The meeting is organized in partnership with IMD, KUWUKA JDA, ASCUT-CARE, FCA/NRTP, AAAJC, CEDES, OXFAM, CIP, AMA, IESE and N'weti, and will be attended by representatives of government institutions, national and international academics, regulatory agencies, companies in the sector, civil society organizations and representatives and members of communities directly affected by the exploitation of extractive resources.