321. The equality of peoples is established in the Constitution by referring to the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human and Peoples Rights and other duly ratified international and regional human rights protection and promotion instruments. 322. The recent election in Niger on 7 June 2019 as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council provides an opportunity for the country to positively contribute to the consolidation of peace in the world and respect for the principle of equal sovereignty of States. 2) Right of Peoples to Self-determination: Article 20 323. Niger is convinced that the right of peoples to self-determination implies that each State has or should have a free and sovereign choice to determine the form of its political regime devoid of any external influence. Each people must enjoy their full sovereignty in line with the principles of universally-recognized international law. That is the reason why Nigerien diplomacy is based on the following principles:  Principle of respect for States and their sovereignty;  Friendship and cooperation among nations and peoples;  Good neighbourliness;  Support for just causes. 3) Right of peoples to freely dispose of their wealth and natural resources: Article 21 324. The permanent sovereignty of peoples over their wealth and natural resources is a corollary of the right of peoples to self-determination. From this perspective, Niger as a developing country endowed with huge natural resources exercises its full and permanent sovereignty over these resources which it manages in such a way as to place itself in a more favourable position according to its national interests. 325. Thus, all the mining exploration contracts are negotiated by the government without any direct or indirect breach to the exercise of its sovereignty over its natural resources. The firms or companies which undermine or attempt to undermine the national interests for their own national interests, may have their contracts cancelled outright. 326. For purposes of transparency, the Constitution provides that all mining exploration contracts must be subject to publication in the gazette and the government must abide by this obligation. 4) The Right of Peoples to Economic, Social and Cultural Development: Article 22 327. Article 146 of the Constitution states that: “The Government’s action in the area of economic and social development policies is underpinned by a strategic vision. The Government ensures that wealth creation, growth and the elimination of inequalities become a major pillar of its interventions. Public policies should promote food sovereignty, sustainable development, access to all social services as well as improvement in the quality of life”. 328. Article 147 of the same enactment states that: “The government must develop its energy potential in order to achieve energy sovereignty, access to energy and build a dynamic and competitive industrial, mining, oil and gas sector geared towards meeting national needs and development requirements. The companies operating in Niger are, as a matter of priority, obliged to employ Nigerien staff and provide them access to all jobs in line with their capacities in accordance with the relevant laws”. 70