Inclusive Resource Management: Youth as Catalysts for Just and Sustainable Governance

As Chair of the UNECE Resource Management Young Member Group (RMYMG), I will present the group’s work in promoting inclusive resource management through youth engagement, intergenerational dialogue, and equitable participation in decision-making processes. Operating under the Expert Group on Resource Management, the RMYMG brings together young professionals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the development and implementation of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS).

This presentation will focus on how inclusive approaches can strengthen the social license, legitimacy, and long-term sustainability of resource systems. Drawing on our recent activities, including engagement at COP29, collaboration with global partners, and contributions to capacity-building efforts, I will highlight the importance of integrating underrepresented voices, particularly youth, local communities, and stakeholders from the Global South, into resource governance frameworks.

Inclusive resource management is not only a matter of fairness, but a strategic imperative for ensuring that resource development supports broader societal goals such as climate action, just transitions, and sustainable development. By fostering diversity of thought and experience, we can design systems that are more adaptable, transparent, and future-oriented.

The RMYMG aims to serve as a catalyst for inclusive dialogue and action, bridging generational and institutional gaps. This intervention invites stakeholders to engage with us in rethinking resource governance in a way that is participatory, just, and aligned with global sustainability objectives.