Natural resources such as land, timber, water as well as extractive resources have played an important role in igniting and prolonging conflict - particularly in fragile states where management and oversight of such resources is often weak. In parallel, there is a growing recognition of the role of mediation for preventing and resolving natural resource conflicts.
In an effort to provide mediation professionals with good practices and strategies in this context, the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and the UN Environment Programmed (UNEP) have jointly produced a landmark publication entitled: "Natural Resources and Conflict: A Guide for Mediation Practitioners." Drawing on decades of experience in the field of mediation of natural resource conflicts, the Guide provides best practices and strategies for mediating different types of resource conflicts - whether those disagreements are violent, have the potential to turn violent, or are part of a larger political struggle, including within a peace process.