Eurasian Resources Group (“ERG” or “the Group”) participated in the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit (“the Forum’s Summit”), where it reiterated its commitment to the Global Battery Alliance (“the Alliance”), a World Economic Forum initiative, of which ERG is a Founding Member. The Group also presented at the International Conference on Sustainable Development (“ICSD”) showcasing how the Group will ensure a responsible cobalt supply chain for the future.
Over the course of the Forum’s Summit, which involved over 700 business, government, civil society and academic leaders from more than 70 countries, the Alliance launched its dedicated website, which can be accessed here. ERG participated in a series of key discussions pertaining to the Alliance’s strategic objectives and explored ways in which the Group can help achieve its objectives.
The Group was also present at the ICSD, which provides a platform for industry leaders, academics and government to discuss practical solutions to help realise the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ERG presented how it is working to ensure responsible cobalt production and improve the quality of life for local communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This includes support to local communities focussed on developing solutions to help children transition out of artisanal and small-scale mining, and in this context ERG has a long-term cooperation agreement with the Good Shepherd Sisters. Looking ahead, it is also exploring partnerships with other NGOs, such as Pact, to develop a ‘Children out of Mining’ programme.
Commenting on the Group’s involvement at the conferences, Benedikt Sobotka, CEO of ERG and co-chair of the Global Battery Alliance, said: “ERG’s commitment to sustainability manifests in every part of our business and we were privileged to be able to discuss our initiatives for the cobalt sector with partners and colleagues from all over the world. We are proud to have helped found the Global Battery Alliance in 2017 and continue to work in order to responsibly manage the growing demand for cobalt worldwide.”
