The COP30 will take place in Belem and the International Resource Panel (IRP) will contribute its increasingly relevant research to the priority policy discussions.
The IRP will take the lead and participate in a series of events – see the information below for details:
COP30 Official Side Event co-organized by IRP:
Financing a Just and Circular Future for Critical Energy Transition Minerals
Virtual Side Event (online)
11 November 2025 | 14:00–15:00 (CET) | 10:00–11:00 (Belém time)
Co-organized by UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), Ellen MacArthur Foundation, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the International Resource Panel (IRP).
[Click here to register]
Session description:
This side event will discuss how circular economy approaches can make the financing of critical energy transition minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel—more just, sustainable, and inclusive. Drawing on insights from the IRP report Financing the Responsible Supply of Energy Transition Minerals for Sustainable Development and forthcoming UNEP FI’s guidance on circular metals and mining value chains, the session will highlight practical pathways for aligning finance and trade with environmental integrity, indigenous rights, and a just transition. It will also explore how financial institutions, policymakers, and businesses can embed circular economy principles into transition plans, investment criteria, and innovation pathways to accelerate climate action.
Speakers:
- Prof. Paul Ekins, IRP Panel member and Professor of Resources and Environment Policy at University College London
- Wen-Yu, Critical Minerals Lead, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
- Shanning Dong, Chief Sustainability Officer, Bank of Jiangsu
- Dylan Boss, Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Government of the Netherlands
- Peggy Lefort, Pollution & Circular Economy Lead, UNEP FI
Side event with IRP participation:
Powering a Just Energy Transition: From Mine to Market
Side event in Room 2, Blue Zone (in-person)
19 November | 22:30- 00:00 (CET) | 18:30 – 20:00 Belém Time
Organizers: UNCTAD, UNIDO, UNEP, UNDP, UNECA, ECLAC, UNECE, UNESCAP, and UNESCWA.
[Click here to register]
Session description:
This side event will explore how critical minerals can power an inclusive and sustainable energy transition, drive industrialization and economic development in mineral-rich countries, while ensuring fairness from mine to market.
This dialogue will highlight best practices, country experiences, UN-initiatives that support mineral rich countries and partnerships that support the implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s Guiding Principles on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.
Speakers:
- Izabella Teixeira, Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel;
- Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda;
- Ana Paula Bittencourt, National Secretary of Geology, Mining and Mineral Transformation, Ministry of Mines and Energy of Brazil;
- Ruth Zugman do Coutto, Deputy Director, Climate Change Division, UNEP;
- Sascha Raabe, Head of the Global Alliance for Responsible and Green Minerals, UNIDO;
- Chantal Line Carpentier, Head, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, UNCTAD;
- Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng, Director of the Climate Change, Food Security and Natural Resources Division, ECA;
- Carlos de Miguel, Chief Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division, ECLAC;
- Ana Carolina González Espinosa, Senior Director for Programs, NRGI.
