Justice for Myanmar has called for an investigation into potential conflicts of interest regarding UN Special Envoy to Myanmar Julie Bishwat’s connections to Chinese-linked Myanmar businesses. Bishwat was recently appointed as a strategic advisor to Energy Transition Minerals (ETM), an Australian mining company working with Chinese companies on a rare earth mining project in Greenland. The appointment has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and ethical implications for her role as UN Special Envoy.
ETM is involved in a controversial rare earth mining project in Greenland that has faced strong opposition from local communities due to environmental concerns. The Greenland government halted the project in 2021. ETM partners with China’s Shenghe Resources, which has been involved in importing rare earth minerals from Myanmar. Shenghe Resources also has business ties with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which signed a $1.5 billion contract for the controversial Yangon New City project. The military council is reportedly planning to restart this project. Additionally, Julie Bishwat serves as an advisor to Summit Gold Limited, a gold mining company in Papua New Guinea, and has previously advised Mineral Resources, an Australian company with business relationships with China Baowu Steel Group, which operates nickel mining operations in Myanmar.
The JFM spokesperson expressed serious concerns about Bishwat’s business activities, including her advisory role in the Chinese-backed mining project in Greenland that faces local opposition. The organization emphasized that these business connections, particularly with companies having historical ties to Myanmar’s military and questionable business practices, raise significant questions about her ability to fulfill her UN mandate with integrity. JFM has urged the UN Secretary-General to conduct an urgent investigation into Bishwat’s business activities, review her suitability to continue in her UN role, and publicly disclose the findings. The organization particularly highlighted concerns about the Special Envoy’s business relationships with Chinese state-owned companies and their implications for her work on Myanmar issues.
