September 2021 News and Analysis from NRGI

News from NRGI
1 October 2021

2021 Resource Governance Index

NRGI has released four more country profiles from the 2021 Resource Governance Index. Assessments published in September include:

The DRC's oil and gas sector (also in French) and mining sector (also in French)
Mexico's oil and gas sector (also in Spanish) and mining sector (also in Spanish)
Nigeria's oil and gas sector
Uganda's oil and gas sector and mining sector

NRGI's Alonso Hidalgo shared additional insights on Mexico in a Spanish-language commentary piece for Animal Politico. Upcoming country profiles include Azerbaijan, Lebanon and Tunisia. (Register to attend the online Tunisia launch event, in Arabic, on 6 October).

Highlights

Diagnosing Corruption in the Extractive Sector: A Tool for Research and Action

NRGI’s new diagnostic tool helps anticorruption actors to tackle the complex and sensitive challenge of extractive sector corruption. Find out more about the tool in this blog post.

Tying Their Hands? How Petroleum Contract Terms May Limit Governments’ Climate Policy Flexibility
The pathway to net-zero requires concerted action from governments and companies; yet traditional petroleum contract terms may stand in the way for petroleum producing countries to address climate change.

Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development’s Annual General Meeting
NRGI president and CEO Suneeta Kaimal will join ICMM's Nicky Black and others at the IGF annual meeting to discuss new thinking and unusual collaborations for building resilience in mineral-rich countries. Register.

NRGI Website Survey 2021
In 2022, NRGI will launch a new website to give its audiences a better online experience. Current and prospective users can share their thoughts and experiences using the existing NRGI website through this ten-minute survey. The survey is available in English, Arabic, French and Spanish.

Blog posts

Leading Companies Issue Commitments on Beneficial Ownership: Will It Help Prevent Corruption?
Earlier this month, six large extractive companies committed to several actions to advance beneficial ownership transparency. Whether the commitments help tackle the tough realities of oil, gas and mining sector corruption will depend on how and by whom they are implemented.

Politics Are Holding Back Implementation of Extractive Sector Transparency Rules
We know good laws and regulations aren’t enough to achieve good governance; the ability and willingness to follow through with them through is key. So why do so many resource-rich countries fail to adequately implement their “good rules”?

Tunisia’s Political Upheaval Signals Opportunities for Improved Mining Governance
In late July, in a move that divided public opinion, Tunisian President Kais Saied invoked Article 80 of the country’s 2014 constitution to suspend parliament, lift members of parliament’s immunity, and dismiss the head of government and some of its members. (Also available in Arabic).

La gouvernance des ressources naturelles en Afrique francophone est plus que jamais essentielle : Discussion avec une actrice de la société civile congolaise
This French-language post explores the ongoing Francophone Africa Regional Extractive Industries Knowledge Hub summer school and the challenges and ambitions of one Congolese participant.

Publications

Recommendations for Strengthening the Role of the EITI in the Fight Against Corruption
Corruption in the extractive industries is one of the biggest obstacles to the accountable and sustainable management of natural resources.

Politique et pratiques de la RDC en matière de transparence des licences et contrats du secteur extractif
Learn more about the challenges of contract disclosure in the DRC in this French-language report.

Videos

Beneficial Ownership Transparency Forum

NRGI's Suneeta Kaimal spoke at the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Forum organized by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Alongside other experts, she discussed the case for beneficial ownership transparency and the urgency of reform.

Resource Governance Index Country Launches
Hear from experts in the Resource Governance Index event recordings (including the recent DRC, Mexico and Uganda launches).

Webinar: El Acuerdo de Escazú como agenda pendiente en Perú y Colombia