UNITED NATION: Pakistan on Monday called upon the UN Security Council to establish a new task force of experts to study the exploitation of natural resources in nations, especially the complex crises in Africa.

Addressing the UN Security Council during an open debate on “National Resources and Conflict”, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram said “beyond action by the Security Council, the United Nations and the international community can contribute to ending illegal exploitation by promoting national processing of natural resources and national control over the various stages of the value-addition and commercial process.”

Saying that the “Security Council's approach of utilising sanctions to control arms trafficking and natural resource exploitation has proved unfortunately too narrow and inappropriate in responding to various situations”, Mr Akram said that “more extensive measures, including border controls and wider monitoring, are required.”

“Peacekeeping forces could be provided with the mandate and capacity for monitoring and interdiction of illegal exploitation, transportation and trade in natural resources,” he suggested, adding “it is vital to address not only the supply but also the demand for natural resources.

“It is the demand for resources, mostly from the advanced countries, and the financing provided for exploitation and marketing of natural resources, which makes possible the vicious circle of commerce and conflict.”