February 2020 News and Analysis from NRGI

News from NRGI
1 March 2020

Highlights

Suneeta Kaimal Becomes NRGI's Interim President and CEO
In recognition of her leadership for more than a decade at NRGI, chief operating officer Suneeta Kaimal was appointed interim president and chief executive officer, assuming the role this month. Former president and CEO Daniel Kaufmann will serve as chief advisor through the end of July. (Read more about the transition in this December president’s letter.)

Resource-Backed Loans: Pitfalls and Potential

Resource-backed loans (mechanisms by which national governments and state companies borrow money in exchange for future outputs of commodities) have had mixed results for developing oil- and mineral-producing countries. Some borrowers have profited from new infrastructure; some have been crippled by debt. This new research, released this morning, examines loans amounting to $164 billion provided by China, Russia and commodity traders since 2004; the authors have also shared recommendations for how these arrangements could better benefit citizens in borrower countries. (Read the summary, press release and materials in French and Spanish.)

Natural Resource Governance and Development: Policies and Practice

NRGI and the NADEL Centre for Development and Cooperation at ETH Zurich are now accepting applications for the new advanced course "Natural Resource Governance and Development: Policies and Practice." This course is open to exceptional leaders from government, civil society, parliaments, media, international development agencies, industry associations as well as academics, researchers and analysts from universities and think tanks. Financial support is available for select candidates. The application deadline is 31 March. Apply here.

Subscribe to NRGI's New Research and Data Digest
NRGI's forthcoming Research and Data Digest newsletter will contain curated updates about NRGI's open data websites and its data-based engagements with stakeholders, and will highlight relevant research from other organizations in the resource governance field. Those with a particular interest in data are invited to subscribe.

Events

Book Launch: Crude Intentions by Alexandra Gillies in Conversation with John van Schaik
For the launch of her new book, Crude Intentions: How Oil Corruption Contaminates the World, NRGI's Alexandra Gillies will discuss the corruption crises that erupt during oil booms. More information on the 9 March event, at Powerhouse Arena in New York, is available here.

Oil, Money & Power: the Inner Workings of Corruption and How to Fight Back
In connection with January's "Luanda Leaks" and the publication of Crude Intentions, Gillies will join Will Fitzgibbon (ICIJ), Corinna Gilfillan (Global Witness) and Elise Bean (formerly of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations) for a discussion of oil-sector corruption and legislative measures to stop it. Register to attend the 11 March event in Washington, D.C. here.