Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella
By Abubakarr Bah
The Future Minerals Forum (FMF) kicked off its fourth Ministerial Roundtable meeting on January 14th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together government representatives from over 140 countries, along with participants from 50 international organizations and prominent leaders from the global mining industry.
This three-day event, themed “Year of Impact,” is designed to solidify FMF’s reputation as a leading platform for collaboration and investment in the minerals sector, with a focus on critical minerals essential for the global energy transition. The main ministerial roundtable, held at the prestigious King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre, aims to enhance international cooperation in the production of critical minerals.
These minerals are vital for advancing sustainable energy solutions and supporting economic growth in various regions, particularly in developing nations. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, who chairs the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security in Sierra Leone, played a pivotal role as the moderator of the roundtable meeting. His expertise and leadership facilitated in-depth discussions that led to the formulation of a collaborative global action plan centred around three significant initiatives. The first initiative, the Strategic Framework for Critical Minerals, aims to create a collaborative framework within the Super Region of Africa, West, and Central Asia.
This framework seeks to harness the mineral potential of these regions, ensuring that they can contribute effectively to the global supply of critical minerals. The second initiative focuses on Sustainability, emphasizing the need for responsible supply chain practices that reflect the realities faced by local supplier countries. This includes enhancing transparency through supply chain certification, which is crucial for building trust and accountability in the mining sector. The third initiative involves the establishment of Centres of Excellence, which will serve as hubs for driving investments, developing human capital, and accelerating technological innovation.
These centres will play a vital role in fostering sustainable development within the Super Region and among supplier countries. During the conference, Dr Yumkella highlighted the importance of critical transition minerals, also known as strategic minerals, in the context of the rapid energy revolution and the growing demand for electric vehicles over the next decade. He pointed out that many major industrial economies have already established dedicated units to focus on these critical minerals, underscoring their significance in shaping future energy landscapes. In addition to discussing the potential of critical minerals, the roundtable addressed various challenges facing the mining sector in developing countries.
Topics included sustainability, traceability, and transparency, all of which are essential for ensuring that mining activities contribute positively to local economies and communities. Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, participated alongside ministers from Africa, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Brazil, further enriching the discussions with diverse perspectives and experiences. In a related development, Dr. Yumkella visited the Sierra Leone Chancery in Riyadh on January 15th, accompanied by Ambassador Mohammed S. Barrie.
The chancery, located on Al-Farouqi Street in Al-Maseef, is undergoing significant rehabilitation under Ambassador Barrie’s leadership, who has been in office since December 9, 2024. This visit underscores the ongoing efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s diplomatic presence and enhance its engagement in international forums like the FMF.
