November 2016 News and Analysis from NRGI

News from NRGI
30 November 2016

Highlights

Apply for 'Reversing the Resource Curse: Theory and Practice'

NRGI and the School of Public Policy at the Central European University are holding a May 2017 advanced-level multi-stakeholder course in Budapest, Hungary, for exceptional leaders from government, civil society, parliaments, media, international development agencies and industry associations. Academics, researchers and analysts from universities and think tanks are also welcome to apply. A limited number of scholarships are available and the deadline for applications is 11 December.

Saving Reform of DRC's Mining Law
The Financial Times' This Is Africa published a piece highlighting NRGI's work on reform of the mining code in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. New analysis and a fiscal model show how a Congolese mining code could encourage investment while allowing the country to benefit from any upturn in commodity prices.

Tunisia EITI Commitment Big Step on Long Path To Improved Governance
Tunisia has made major moves toward more openness and disclosure, reflected in the creation of an open data portal, as well as contract disclosure and open contracting commitments. These achievements were recently highlighted by Tunisia’s commitment to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in its new Open Government Partnership (OGP) national action plan.

Video

Omidyar Network: Open Up 2016
What might open government look like in 2025? The closing panel of Omidyar Network's Open Up 2016, featuring NRGI chief operating officer Suneeta Kaimal, reflected on the potential of disruptive digital innovations for open government. The panel and audience also addressed non-tech developments and how governments should be preparing for the future, including the development of digital skills and innovation in citizen participation.

Spotlight on data

Debt Sustainability Challenges in Resource-Rich Developing Countries

A 10-year boom in the prices of many commodities drew to a close last year. During previous booms, governments in developing countries have often squandered wealth accumulated through oil, gas and minerals, directing few proceeds toward effective investment or saving. When boom turned to bust, resource-rich countries were caught out, forced into debt spirals.

Upcoming event

Contract Transparency and Environmental Disclosure to Feature at OGP’s Paris Summit
Learn more about NRGI's activities at the upcoming Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Paris (7-9 December). Collective action eight, in the summit's draft declaration, developed with support from the OGP’s Openness in Natural Resources Working Group, focuses on transparency and open contracting in the oil, gas, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. NRGI and partners have put together a briefing that explores concrete ways governments and civil society organizations participating in OGP can achieve change on these issues. Check NRGI's event page for updated information.

Blog

Large Oil Discovery Generates Hope, Challenges in Guyana
The Liza oil field discovered off Guyana’s coast in 2015 might be the world’s biggest oil discovery in the last two years. It may ultimately produce 1.4 billion oil-equivalent barrels of crude. This could have a massive economic impact on a country currently ranking among the poorest in the Latin America and Caribbean region. What are the resource governance implications?

From Contract Transparency to Open Contracting in Natural Resources
Secrecy around the agreements that governments strike with extractive companies for the exploitation of natural resources is a critical issue. Without access to this information, how can interested citizens be sure that the government negotiated a decent deal on their behalf, or that the company involved is paying its taxes correctly?

Anya Schiffrin on the State of Extractives Journalism
The director of the technology, media, and communications specialization at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs sat down with NRGI to share her opinions on cross-border investigative journalism, big data and the changing profile of women who cover natural resources.

Water Management, Environmental Impacts and Peru’s Mining Conflicts
The protests in the Las Bambas area signal profound shortcomings in mining governance in Peru, particularly with respect to the way national mining sector authorities handle and approve changes in project design and environmental impact assessments.

Natural Resource Fiscal Transparency Code Represents Important Step Toward Harmonized Global Standards
Since 2007, the International Monetary Fund has played a key role in setting global standards for extractive sector fiscal transparency. That year, the fund released its Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency and the accompanying Guide on Resource Revenue Transparency. The latest draft of the Natural Resource Fiscal Transparency Code is a continuation of this benchmarking.

Focus: L'Afrique Francophone (Francophone Africa)

Sortir de l’impasse fiscale : comment sauver la réforme du code minier en République Démocratique du Congo
Afin de faciliter l’atteinte d’un compromis entre les parties prenantes, NRGI a réalisé une analyse indépendante des éléments fiscaux du code minier congolais et de la proposition de révision dont les principaux résultats sont présentés ici. S’entendre sur un nouveau projet de révision du code minier permettrait de sauver les efforts importants investis dans le processus de révision du code.

Recommandations relatives à la divulgation de la propriété réelle dans le cadre de l’ITIE en République démocratique du Congo
NRGI a développé une liste de recommandations débattues lors d’un atelier avec le comité exécutif de l’ITIE RDC. La RDC est l’un des rares pays ayant déjà divulgué l’identité de propriétaires réels dans ses derniers rapports ITIE (2013 et 2014) et les efforts doivent continuer.

Guinée : la difficile question des prix de transfert dans le secteur minier
La Guinée compte depuis des décennies sur son potentiel minier pour stimuler un développement économique durable.

NRGI in the news and on the web

Financial Times [paywall]: Trafigura Reveals USD 33bn of State Energy Group Deals

Reforma (Mexico): 'La corrupción estanca'

Financial Times [paywall]: Nigeria: Delta Blues

Oxford Centre for the Analysis of Resource Rich Economies: Stranded Nations? The Climate Policy Implications for Fossil Fuel-Rich Developing Countries

Enfoque Noticias (Mexico) (audio): La corrupción sólo se combate con la implementación de una nueva ley: Daniel Kaufmann

Reuters: Nigeria Proposes Broad Oil Sector Overhaul, Sale of Stakes in NNPC

Radio 100,7 (Luxembourg) (audio): Ëmstridde Ressourcen: Pëtroll

Ghana News Agency: Africa Needs Strong Legal Framework on Local Content – Expert

Dagens Næringsliv (Norway): Oljet fredsprosess

International Council on Mining & Metals: Role of mining in national economies: third edition

PeaceFM (Ghana): Electorate Urged To Vote On Merit