A coalition of 34 Civil Society Organisations have raised alarm over the growing role of illicit gold in fuelling conflict, organised crime, corruption, and environmental destruction, calling for urgent global action ahead of the upcoming UK Illicit Finance Summit 2026.

In a joint statement released under embargo on Tuesday, the groups warned that rising gold prices and increasing geopolitical instability are making the precious metal an attractive tool for criminal networks, sanctions evasion, and illicit financial flows.

The coalition highlighted the devastating impacts of illegal gold mining, including river pollution, deforestation, and serious human rights abuses affecting vulnerable communities across regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

With the United Kingdom hosting one of the world’s largest over-the-counter gold markets, the groups said the country is both exposed to the risks of illicit gold flows and uniquely positioned to lead efforts to combat the problem through stronger regulations and international partnerships.

The issue is expected to feature prominently at the summit scheduled for June 23–24, which will be held alongside London Action Climate Week 2026.

While welcoming the UK government’s decision to prioritise gold alongside other high-risk asset classes such as cryptocurrency and property, the coalition cautioned that current efforts fall short of addressing the scale of the threat.

Helen Taylor of Spotlight on Corruption said soaring gold prices have made the commodity a preferred medium for organised criminals and warlords.

“Illicit gold is driving corruption, environmental harm and conflict, while fuelling global illicit financial flows that threaten our security and prosperity,” she said, urging the summit to deliver “ambitious collective action.”

Experts also pointed to structural weaknesses in global gold supply chains.

 Sophia Pickles of the Global Initiative Against Trans-national Organized Crime noted that under-scrutinised trading hubs and loopholes such as “recycled gold” classifications and location-based swaps enable illegal gold to enter legitimate markets.

From Ghana, Daryl Bosu of A Rocha Ghana warned that illegal mining is severely degrading forests and water bodies, with gold linked to such destruction still finding its way into international markets like London.

He called for full traceability across the gold value chain, alongside fair distribution of benefits and stronger environmental protections.

Other contributors, including representatives from Mighty Earth and CAFOD, highlighted the social and health consequences of illegal mining, ranging from mercury pollution and food insecurity to gender-based violence and the disruption of indigenous communities.

Indigenous leader Ehuana Yara Yanomami also underscored the human cost, describing how illegal mining is destroying forests, contaminating water sources, and threatening livelihoods in the Amazon.

The coalition is urging governments, industry players, and international bodies to adopt stronger transparency measures, close regulatory loopholes, and enforce accountability across the gold supply chain.

They emphasised that the upcoming summit presents a critical opportunity to coordinate global action and address what they describe as a rapidly escalating threat to security, the environment, and human rights.