The challenges associated with the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts induced by natural resources could well come to define peace and global security in the 21st century. Global trends, such as demographic changes, increased consumption, environmental degradation and climate change, are creating significant and potentially unsustainable pressures on the availability and usability of natural resources such as land, water and ecosystems.

The message of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the International Day for the Prevention of the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflicts recalled that "since 1990, at least 18 violent conflicts have been fueled by exploitation of natural resources such as wood, minerals, oil and gas. Sometimes, this is due to environmental damage and the marginalization of local populations that do not benefit economically from the exploitation of natural resources.