Deecember 2019 and January 2020 News and Analysis from NRGI

News from NRGI
1 February 2020

Highlights

NRGI Named Among Top Transparency and Governance Think Tanks for Fifth Consecutive Year
For 2019, NRGI was ranked in the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report third among 67 institutions, equalling its 2018 result after ranking seventh in 2017, eighth in 2016 and 10th in 2015.

Letter from NRGI’s President and CEO

Daniel Kaufmann closed 2019 with reflections on NRGI’s achievements, its new 2020-2025 strategy and the organization’s future leadership.

Proposed U.S. Oil and Mining Transparency Rule Will Not Deter Corruption
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted strong rules in 2012 and 2016 which led the way in creating a global standard for transparency in the extractive sector. Those rules were never fully implemented and the SEC has now come back from the drawing board with a rule that falls well short of the standard that it previously established.

New Book: Crude Intentions

In her new book, NRGI's Alexandra Gillies explores dozens of high-profile corruption cases, allowing a wide range of readers to understand how oil deals go wrong and why it matters. Learn more from Oxford University Press and Amazon. On 12 February in New York, Columbia University's Harriman Institute will host a discussion of the book. Launch events will follow in Washington, D.C. and London.

Executive Course on Oil, Gas and Mining Governance

Led by globally recognized experts, this course is designed to encourage senior-level policy makers from around the world to share their own experiences while gaining insights and specialist knowledge about natural resource management. The application deadline is 2 March 2020, and financial support is available.

Many National Oil Companies Are "Hidden Giants"
It’s time for more transparency in the management and governance of national oil companies, write NRGI's David Manley, David Mihalyi and Patrick Heller in the IMF's Finance & Development

Events

2020 Africa Mining Indaba
NRGI staff will attend next week's 2020 African Mining Indaba and Alternative Mining Indaba and feature in four events while in Cape Town.

Eurasia Knowledge Hub Course: Natural Resources for Sustainable Development
This course offers participants from the region a well-grounded knowledge of theories and practices for efficient resource governance. It consists of an initial online phase, and then selected learners will be invited to a ten-day residential phase in Baku, Azerbaijan in late June. The application deadline is 15 March.

Publications

Indonesia’s Oil and Gas Revenues: Using Payments to Governments Data for Accountability

Seventeen international oil and gas companies have reported over $15 billion in payments to Indonesian government entities since 2014. This report explores some of the ways this timely source of payment data can be used as an accountability tool. (Read the press release here.)

Lessons for Generating Government Revenue for New and Prospective Liquefied Natural Gas Producers
Over the last decade, LNG prices in the three main markets of North America, Western Europe and East Asia have diverged significantly at times. This briefing presents two case studies of developing countries that have faced challenges in securing public revenue from their natural gas industries.

Holding to Account: How Publishing Facts about Foreign Corruption Creates Accountability
Many governments share evidence from corruption cases confidentially. But how does public disclosure of facts from corruption cases, whether by courts or other law enforcement bodies, aid the broader fight against corruption? Could more transparency help anticorruption efforts by regulators, companies, journalists, civil society actors and others?

Blog

Revisit NRGI’s Ten Most-Read 2019 Blog Posts
This recap of the most popular posts published in 2019 covers corruption, taxation, gender and more.

NRGI Organizational Evaluation: Full Text and Management Response
In 2019, NRGI’s management commissioned an organizational evaluation in order to reflect on past progress and inform the development of its new strategy. The final evaluation, a summary and a management response are now available to read.

Should the OECD’s Proposal for a “Unified Approach” on Corporate Taxation Exclude Extractive Industries?
If member countries of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting adopt this proposal, they should exempt extractive industries so as to protect the legitimate interests of resource-exporting countries.

Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Presents Opportunities and Risks for Mineral Producers
For countries that produce minerals needed in electric vehicle batteries, projections of rapidly rising demand could herald abundant new public revenues and industrial opportunities. Yet the prospect of a sharp increase in demand carries significant challenges for governments and companies alike.

New Countries Report in Latest Natural Resource Revenue Dataset
NRGI’s Natural Resource Revenue Dataset is of use to those researching a resource-rich country and in need of data to quantify the government’s dependence on revenues from natural resources-- and a December 2019 update is now available.

Les réalités de la gouvernance des communes minières : Perspectives de la Guinée et du Niger
Deux élus locaux, de la Guinée et du Niger, à l’occasion de l’Université d’été sur la gouvernance des industries extractives ont parcouru les problèmes que rencontrent leurs collectivités dans le cadre de l’exploitation des ressources minières sur leurs territoires et leurs efforts pour diversifier l’économie locale.

La minería y los desafíos de la transición energética en Argentina: Una conversación con Carolina Sánchez
Carolina Sánchez, Secretaria de Política Minera de Argentina, reflexiona sobre los desafíos que supone coordinar el desarrollo de la minería en el país y el modo en que Argentina enfrenta la transición energética.