May 2020 News and Analysis from NRGI

News from NRGI
31 May 2020

Highlights

[VIDEO] The Pandemic and Extractive Sector Governance: A Message from Suneeta Kaimal, Interim President and CEO

NRGI's Suneeta Kaimal discusses the challenges that the coronavirus pandemic has brought to resource-rich countries--and how NRGI is responding.

Between a Rock and a Hot Place: Resource Governance and the Energy Transition
In the first of a new series of commentary, NRGI experts outline the fundamental dilemmas faced by resource-dependent countries as the world transitions from fossil fuels to more sustainable sources of energy. They explore Nigeria's oil sector and the DRC's cobalt industry as examples.

Force Majeure and Other Coronavirus-Era Legal Challenges: Lessons for Resource-Dependent Countries from the Glencore-Zambia Dispute
As the oil, mining and gas sectors suffer the economic consequences of the pandemic, extractive companies may attempt to excuse, delay or otherwise revise their contractual or legal obligations. This post provides guidance for governments of resource-dependent countries on how to prepare to safeguard their industries.

Post-Coronavirus: More Sorrow for Africa’s New Oil and Gas Producers
The path to oil and gas prosperity has always been challenging for new producers, and the coronavirus has made it even more so. In this commentary for The Africa Report, NRGI's David Mihalyi and Thomas Scurfield urge national governments and development partners to radically rethink their approach to the sector.

Coronavirus en Guinée : trois recommandations pour sauvegarder les acquis de la gouvernance minière
In this French-language commentary appearing in La Tribune Afrique, NRGI’s Hervé Lado suggests three policy approaches for consideration by officials in Guinea in the wake of the economic crash caused by the pandemic.

Blog

When Oil Prices Drop, Corruption Risks Can Rise

In this post, Alexandra Gillies argues that as oil market players face historic duress, several governance risks will worsen. In their most serious forms, they could constitute corruption.

The Proof is in the Politics: Fossil Fuel Interests and Domestic Energy Transitions
Extractive sector policies and governance choices are holding back solar and wind projects in many countries. Part of the trouble lies in the shortsighted habits of political decision-making that oil, gas or coal exploitation can foster.

Owners in the Shadows: Beneficial Ownership in Mongolia’s Mining Sector

So far the Mongolian government has failed to introduce necessary laws and regulations to promote transparency around mining company ownership. A guest author argues that non-governmental organizations can lead by taking initiative and pushing the reform process.

Events

Natural Resource Governance and Development: Policies and Practice (Advanced Course)

NRGI’s advanced course has been postponed and reformatted, in light of pandemic-related travel restrictions. It is now a blended learning course, with an online portion (October 2020 - January 2021) and an in-person portion in Zurich (15-20 February 2021). Applications remain open until 31 July.

[VIDEO] Natural Resource Governance in the Covid Crisis Era
NRGI's chief advisor and president emeritus Daniel Kaufmann discussed the current state and role of natural resource governance in light of the pandemic in this webinar hosted by SDG Academy.