PARTNER-LED SESSION / Why Central Africa (Still) Matters: Lessons from 15 Years of Supply Chain Due Diligence (on-site only)

May 5, 2025 | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
ROOM CC13

Description

ROOM CC13 Organised by IMPACT & IPIS This session is led by a partner organisation and may not reflect the views of the OECD.

Central Africa is where mineral supply chain due diligence was first put into practice—and fifteen years on, it remains the most telling case study for understanding both the potential and the limits of responsible sourcing efforts. While some may feel the story has already been told, the region continues to offer critical insights that should inform how due diligence evolves across other minerals, metals, and geographies. This session offers a space for critical reflection on its evolution, effectiveness, and future of due diligence in mineral supply chains operating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. As the current crisis in Eastern DRC underscores the persistent instability in the region, it's important to assess what due diligence has realistically achieved, what challenges remain, and how local experiences and technical insights can shape a more effective path forward. This discussion will explore the practical limits and achievements of due diligence implementation—without assuming it can resolve broader structural or political dynamics. In the absence of clear baselines, limited data and considering complex on-the-ground realities, we will focus on what has been learned, what could be improved, and how to ensure due diligence aligns with the expectations of all stakeholders in the equation: affected communities, producing nations and buyers. Please note that this session will NOT be livestreamed. Session available in ENGLISH and FRENCH only.