Sharing knowledge and building partnerships: The 2024 Global Forum on ASGM kicks off

Today the GEF-funded planetGOLD programme kicked off its flagship knowledge sharing event, the 2024 Global Forum on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), in the Batangas municipality of the Philippines. Bringing together roughly 200 key partners and stakeholders from across the globe, the ultimate goal of this knowledge exchange taking place from June 3-5 is to spur action toward advancing a mercury-free, responsibly managed ASGM sector.

Over the next three days, miner representatives, government officials, policy and technical experts, international agencies, and members of the private sector will come together to share experiences, ideas, and emerging best practices. Sessions in the schedule explore some of the most critical issues in the ASGM sector today, including opportunities to improve financial access for the sector, technologies for mercury-free gold processing, taxation policies, advancing gender equity in ASGM, and more. 

This is an inflection point for the planetGOLD programme, as the original eight countries are wrapping up while execution of several newer country projects is ramping up. This also marks the first time the programme has held its Global Forum on ASGM event in-person, following the disruptions of the COVID pandemic. As the umbrella and impact of the programme continues to expand, this is an important moment to connect with the broader community of partners and practitioners working toward making mercury history in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

For those not attending the event in person, many sessions will be broadcast via livestream on YouTube and on the planetGOLD website, with interpretation in English, French, and Spanish. Recordings of all sessions will also be available on YouTube following closure of the event.

To follow the latest updates on the 2024 Global Forum on ASGM, visit the event webpage and follow planetGOLD on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.

Supported by the Global Environment Facility, the planetGOLD programme is led by the UN Environment Programme and implemented in partnership with the UN Industrial Development Organization, UN Development Programme, and Conservation International. The programme supports countries in meeting their obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.