International Nickel Study Group
{{Short description|Intergovernmental organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = International Nickel Study Group
| formation = 1990
| image = File:International Nickel Study Group Logo.png
| abbreviation = INSG
| type = Intergovernmental Organization
| status = Active
| purpose = Promote transparency in the global nickel market
| headquarters = Lisbon, Portugal
| leader_title = Secretary-General
| leader_name = Paul White
| website = https://www.insg.org
}}
The International Nickel Study Group (INSG) is an intergovernmental organization established in June 1990, in The Hague, Netherlands, within the framework of the United Nations.{{Cite book |last=United Nations |url=https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/itcdcom11_en.pdf |title=Intergovernmental Producer-Consumer Cooperation in Commodities in Mid 1990s - A handbook on international commodity agreements, arrangements and study groups (UNCTAD/ITCD/COM/11) |publisher=United Nations |year=1998 |location=New York and Geneva |pages=17–18}} Since 2006, the International Copper Study Group and International Lead and Zinc Study Group have been co-located with INSG in Lisbon, Portugal.Headquarters Agreement Between the Portuguese Republic and the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group, Diário da República, 1ª série / N.º 234 (2006) (pp. 8231–8235). Accessed 6 April 2022. https://files.dre.pt/1s/2006/12/23400/82268235.pdf
Creation
Between 1979 and 1986, a series of conferences between nickel producing and using countries were organized to consider the quality of nickel statistics and ways of improving them. These conferences were followed by the United Nations Conference on Nickel (October–November 1985 and April–May 1986), where the terms of Reference of The International Nickel Study Group were created (13 May 1986).
Functions
As an International Study Group, the INSG provides a forum for market participants to discuss and exchange information on issues related to a specific commodity (nickel), without market intervention, with the goal of improving market transparency.{{Cite book |last=United Nations |url=https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/itcdcom11_en.pdf |title=Intergovernmental Producer-Consumer Cooperation In Commodities In Mid 1990s - A handbook on international commodity agreements, arrangements and study groups (UNCTAD/ITCD/COM/11) |publisher=United Nations |year=1998 |location=New York and Geneva |pages=15}}
Specifically, this is done by monitoring the nickel economy, exchanging information with members, developing studies on specific issues, to "improv[e] the information available on the international nickel economy".United Nations (1986), Terms of Reference of the International Nickel Study Group, as adopted on 2 May 1986 by the United Nations Conference on Nickel, 1986 https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/1990/05/19900523%2004-32%20AM/Ch_XIX_29p.pdf (Accessed 6 April 2022)
Currently, the most visible work of the INSG are statistics (World Nickel Statistics)Fajarnes, P. 2011, An Overview of Major Sources of Data and Analyses Relating to Physical Fundamentals in International Commodity Markets, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Discussion Papers No. 202 (UNCTAD/OSG/DP/2011/2), June 2011. (p. 12). Accessed 6 April 2022, https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/osgdp20112_en.pdf{{Cite web |title=International Nickel Study Group (INSG) >> globalEDGE: Your source for Global Business Knowledge |url=https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-resources/resource/11259 |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=globaledge.msu.edu}} and forecasts for the nickel market, being commonly cited or referred in industry news,{{Cite news |date=2022-01-14 |title=Nickel hits its highest since 2011 as stockpiles dwindle |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/nickel-leaps-highest-since-2011-stockpiles-dwindle-2022-01-14/ |access-date=2022-04-06}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-11 |title=International Nickel Study Group forecasts rising nickel demand in 2022 |url=https://www.mining.com/international-nickel-study-group-forecasts-rising-nickel-demand-in-2022/ |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=MINING.COM |language=en-US}} studies on commodities{{Cite web |title=Nickel Statistics and Information {{!}} U.S. Geological Survey (Links Section) |url=https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/nickel-statistics-and-information |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=www.usgs.gov}} and company reports and presentations.{{cite report |url=https://www.smm.co.jp/en/ir/event/roadshow/pdf/2021/220518_setsumeikai_E.pdf |title=FY2021 Progress of Business Strategy |author=Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. |date=2022-05-18 |page=9 |author-link=Sumitomo Group |access-date=2022-07-01}}
Members
Members of the INSG are Governments of nickel producing and consuming countries. Membership is open to countries with interest in nickel production, consumption or trade as well as "intergovernmental organizations with responsibilities in respect of the negotiation, conclusion and application of international agreements, particularly commodity agreements".
Current members of the INSG are:
{{Columns-list|*{{flag|Australia}}
- {{flag|Brazil}}
- {{flag|Cuba}}
- {{flag|European Union}}
- {{flag|Finland}}
- {{flag|France}}
- {{flag|Germany}}
- {{flag|Italy}}
- {{flag|Japan}}
- {{flag|Norway}}
- {{flag|Portugal}}
- {{flag|Russian Federation}}
- {{flag|Sweden}}
- {{flag|United Kingdom}}}}