News

Greater Sudbury Hosts the 2024 OECD Conference of Mining Regions and Cities

The City of Greater Sudbury has made history as the first North American city to host an Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Conference of Mining Regions and Cities. Held from October 8 to 11, 2024, at the Holiday Inn, the fifth edition of the conference gathered over 250 participants from 20 countries, numerous First Nations and diverse organizations representing the public and private sectors, academia and Indigenous communities.

Co-organized by the City of Greater Sudbury and OECD and funded in part by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the conference focused on the well-being, economic sustainability, and the future of mineral supply for the energy transition in mining regions. Two pivotal themes were explored: partnering for sustained development in mining regions, and future-proofing regional mineral supply for the energy transition in mining.

Hosting the conference in Greater Sudbury was particularly significant, given the city’s rich history of mining, environmental remediation and advancements  in the relationship between the municipality and First Nations communities. The conference benefited from the engagement of the Atikameksheng and the Wahnapitae First Nation, and a First Nations planning team, ensuring that authentic collaboration with Indigenous rights-holders in mining regions was central to the discussions. A formal Indigenous Call to Action, expected to be released in the coming weeks from the First Nations Major Project Coalition, will guide and assist regions and the mining industry as they work to partner with First Nations communities. The importance of obtaining legal consent from Indigenous communities was one of many critical lessons emphasized during the conference.

“One of the main goals I had when I became Mayor was to strengthen our relationships and partnerships with our nearby Indigenous communities and leadership. We need to make sure they have an equal voice in shaping the future of the community,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre. “When Indigenous communities win, we all win. Starting from that premise changes how we approach economic development, social services and so much more, which helps everyone progress into the future.”

The world-renowned Greater Sudbury Regreening Story was also front and center at the conference and gala dinner, helping share vital lessons in sustainability and environmental stewardship. “This conference isn’t just about mining. It’s about building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for mining regions around the world,” said Nadim Ahman, OECD Deputy Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions, and Cities. “Greater Sudbury is a city of resilience, innovation and transformation, and with the expertise they have, we know they can assist and partner with mining regions worldwide, to help build that future.”

In attendance at the conference were several federal and provincial representatives including the Honorable Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson; the Honorable Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister of Northern Development, Greg Rickford; Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré; and Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe. The conference also included numerous government, policy and industry participants from Australia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ghana, France and attendees from Lapland, Finland, the host region of the 2025 OECD Conference of Mining Regions and Cities.

In addition to important conversations and insights, Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe announced that FedNor will provide $150,000 in funding to support a “fact-finding mission” aimed at helping Northern Ontario communities capitalize on emerging opportunities in the mining sector. These funds will support the OECD case study taking place over the next year in Northern Ontario, to gather insights to enhance engagement with Indigenous communities and strengthen the connection between mining and long-term, competitive local development.

Greater Sudbury’s role in hosting this momentous conference cements its position as a leader in the global mining sector and in the future of mining and community development. The City will continue working with the OECD on the case study to help guide the sector into the future. The case study is expected to be released in 2025.