A Farewell Message from 51° Natural Resources
After more than fifteen years of activity, learning, and collaborations, the Board of 51° Natural Resources has taken the difficult decision to discontinue all activities and formally close the association.
This decision follows the passing of our Founder Peter Sigg — whose vision, leadership, and human values were at the very heart of everything we built — and was reached after careful and thoughtful reflection on the future of the organisation.
Our Origins and Evolution
Founded in 2011 as Commodity Club Switzerland, the association was created to offer a platform for dialogue, education, and professional exchange in the commodities and natural resources sectors. From the very beginning, our ambition was to go beyond transactions and markets, fostering a deeper understanding of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of natural resources.
Over time, this vision evolved into 51° Natural Resources, reflecting a broader and more integrated approach to topics such as responsible resource management, sustainable finance, food security, energy transition, and nature-based solutions.
Commodity Club Switzerland/51° Natural Resources was a platform where professionals from diverse backgrounds — corporates, financial institutions, academia, policymakers, and civil society — could meet, learn, and challenge one another.
More than a decade of Initiatives and Community Building
Since 2011, the association has developed and supported a wide range of initiatives, including:
- Multi-speaker panels and conferences, workshops, and expert roundtables bringing together international voices and perspectives,
- Educational and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at deepening understanding of natural resource value chains,
- The production of articles and resources to support best practices and informed decision-making,
- Partnerships with aligned organisations and participation in major international events focused on commodities, finance, and sustainability.
Above all, 51° Natural Resources has been a community. A place where ideas were exchanged freely, where debate was encouraged, and where relationships were built across sectors and geographies.
Gratitude to Our Members and Supporters
None of this would have been possible without the commitment and trust of our corporate members, individual members, partners, speakers, contributors, and participants.
To each of you — whether you supported us for many years or joined us for a single event — we extend our sincere thanks. Your engagement, partnership, trust and contributions gave meaning to our work and helped shape the identity and impact of the association.
We are also deeply grateful to all those who worked behind the scenes to make our activities possible, often with dedication that went far beyond formal roles.
Next Steps and What to Expect
While the association is closing, some practical elements will remain in place for a limited time:
- The 51° Natural Resources website will remain accessible until September 30 2026, allowing continued access to articles, resources, and archives from our years of activity.
- Corporate members who wish to continue their engagement within a broader network are invited to become members of ZCA (Zug Commodity Association). For further information or support with this transition, please contact ZCA at zugcommodity.ch/contact-us.
With Deep Appreciation
As we bring this journey to an end, we do so with a sense of pride for what has been achieved and deep respect for the legacy of our Founder Peter Sigg. While 51° Natural Resources as an organisation is coming to a close, the ideas, conversations, and connections it enabled will continue to live on through the work of its community. And we hope that our mission will continue to inspire your work as commodity experts and professionals.
Thank you for being part of this story.
Alexander Peters
President
Markus Amstutz
Vice-president
And the Board and team of 51° Natural Resources (former Commodity Club Switzerland)