The History of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF)

This report outlines the history and evolution of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), from its origins as a UN Type II partnership in 2002 to its current status as a member-led forum of over 80 countries focused on sustainable mining governance.

• The IGF originated from the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, specifically following paragraph 46 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. This plan prioritized addressing the impacts and benefits of mining, enhancing stakeholder roles, and supporting countries' capacity to govern mining operations. It began as a UN Type II partnership called the Global Dialogue on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development, involving 53 countries, before formally launching as the IGF in February 2005 with 25 founding members.
• The Mining Policy Framework (MPF), ratified at the 2010 Annual General Meeting, serves as the IGF's cornerstone compendium of best practices for good mining governance. The MPF is structured around six pillars: Laws, Policies, and Institutions; Financial Benefits; Socio-Economic Benefits; Post-Mining Transition; Environmental Management; and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining. The framework covers the entire mining life cycle, from exploration to post-mining transition, and applies to all operation sizes from artisanal to large-scale.
• The IGF Secretariat's administration has transitioned over time; it was hosted by the Government of Canada for 10 years through Global Affairs Canada and Natural Resources Canada before moving to the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in October 2015. Funding for the Secretariat is currently provided by the governments of Canada and the Netherlands, the latter of which joined as a core funder in 2021.
• The IGF has expanded its membership from 25 founding members in 2005 to 47 nations by 2015, and currently includes more than 80 member countries. To maintain relevance, the IGF began a multistakeholder process in 2022 to update the MPF, addressing increased demand for critical minerals for the energy transition and the need for more equitable practices; this updated version was ratified in November 2023.
• The IGF maintains a close partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which has hosted every in-person Annual General Meeting at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Additionally, the IGF Secretariat has conducted MPF assessments for 18 member governments, providing reports on gaps in mining laws and subsequent technical assistance.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). The History of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF). https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-07/history-of-igf-en.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. The History of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF). n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-07/history-of-igf-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=The History of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-07/history-of-igf-en.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndhistory, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{The History of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF)}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-07/history-of-igf-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }