The role of extractive industries in promoting sustainable economic growth and employment generation, through synergies with governments and civil society, is being discussed this week in Brasilia.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is facilitating this dialogue to help identify new or more inclusive approaches to reduce poverty, hunger and inequalities, to promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Jorge Chediek, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Brazil, explains that “In developing countries, extractive industries create almost one trillion dollars and represent a major source of foreign exchange. The engagement of these industries with the new development agenda is crucial.”

The event “Dialogue on The Extractive Sector and Sustainable Development – Enhancing Public-Private-Community Cooperation in the Context of the Post-2015 Agenda” ends Friday, 5 December.

More than 300 representatives from the extractive sector, governments and civil society from 50 different countries will discuss synergies, proposals and recommendations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and reorient policies with national development strategies.

“The role of the extractive industries is much bigger than creating economic wealth or financing social responsibility initiatives. These companies can trigger a more balanced, inclusive and long term focused development process,” said Leva Lazareviciute, UNDP Focal Point for Capacity Development in Brazil.

The event will also discuss how to improve access to basic services like health, education, water and sanitation; energy and infrastructure; protecting the environment, with special attention to sustainable use of marine resources, forests, and ecosystems; and promoting human rights and social inclusion.

Based on undp.org