[A] regional conference on mineral certification — an effort to create responsible supply chains for conflict minerals mined from the African Great Lakes Region [took place in Rwanda]...Meeting attendees provided an update on regional efforts to create a common framework for certification schemes that would distinguish conflict minerals from conflict-free metals. All participants agreed that success is necessary to increase investor confidence and economic development across the region. While the 11 countries that make up the Great Lakes Region are hard pressed to implement a workable certification system, many companies are awaiting the final rules from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission...on the Dodd-Frank Act...