Resolution 1457 (2003) / adopted by the Security Council at its 4691st meeting, on 24 January 2003

Security Council resolution 1457 (2003) [on illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo]

Strongly condemns the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; reiterates that the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo should be exploited transparently, legally and on a fair commercial basis, to benefit the country and its people; stresses that the completion of the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as the early establishment of an all-inclusive transitional government in the country are important steps towards ending the plundering of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; stresses the importance of following up the independent findings of the Panel regarding the link between the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the continuation of the conflict, stresses the importance of exerting the necessary pressure to put an end to such exploitation; stresses that the new mandate of the Panel should include: (a) further review of relevant data and analysis of information previously gathered by the Panel, as well as any new information; (b) information on actions taken by Governments in response to the Panel's previous recommendations; (c) an assessment of the actions taken by all those named in the reports; (d) recommendations on measures to ensure the resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are exploited legally and on a fair commercial basis to benefit the Congolese people; stresses the importance of dialogue between the Panel, individuals, companies and States; requests the Panel to provide information to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Committee on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises and to the National Contact Points; urges all States to conduct their own investigations in order to clarify credibly the findings of the Panel; expresses its full support to the Panel and reiterates that all parties and relevant States must extend their full cooperation to the Panel, while ensuring necessary security for the experts.

Adopted unanimously, 4691st meeting

4 p.

Issued in: Resolutions and decisions of the Security Council, 1 August 2002-31 July 2003 - S/INF/58 - (SCOR, 58th year).