Contribution of the extractive industry to sustainability in the Middle East and North African (MENA) Region

Abstract

The extractive industry has great potential for mobilizing financial support as well as physical, technological, and human resources to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article traces developments in the industry with a view to identifying existing gaps in knowledge and the proactive measures needed to ensure that the extractive industry makes a crucial contribution to the society. More specifically, this article explores the historical and current contributions that extractive industries have on social development, political stability, and economic prosperity
in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. Practical and specific examples are used to show the progress made in the attainment or support of the SDGs. The first finding is that the extractive industry in the region has the potential and opportunity to contribute to the attainment of all the 17 SDGs. The second finding is that despite the extractive industry being diverse, the nature and scope of typical activities highlight that various common opportunities can be leveraged on to achieve progress on the SDGs. Thirdly, an unprecedented level of stakeholder cooperation is needed to attain the SDGs. Finally, extractive industries in the MENA region are lagging in furthering SDGs because their activities contribute to  environmental degradation.

Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals; Mining; Middle East; North
Africa; Environmental Sustainability.