November 2015 News and Analysis from NRGI
Highlights
Picturing Poor Extractives Governance in Myanmar
NRGI recently concluded a photography series that aims to capture the complex political, environmental and social realities at coal, copper, gas, gold, jade and oil extraction sites throughout Myanmar. An exhibition in Yangon is ongoing.
Photo by Matt Grace for NRGI
Trafigura Disclosures a Partial Win for Trading Transparency
Switzerland-based trading house Trafigura has disclosed billions in commodities payments to governments in its first annual responsibility report. The disclosures represent a much-needed step; there remains, however, ample room for improvement.
Reversing the Resource Curse Course: Application Deadline is Friday
NRGI and the School of Public Policy at Central European University are accepting applications for the advanced course "Reversing the Resource Curse: Theory and Practice." The course is open to exceptional leaders from government, civil society, parliaments, media, international development agencies and industry associations, as well as academics, researchers and analysts from universities and think tanks. Scholarships covering travel, accommodation and full tuition costs are available for some applicants from select countries. The application deadline is this Friday, 27 November.
Spotlight on Data
The number of extractives contracts containing the word "arbitration"
ResourceContracts.org Returns With New Features and More Contracts
NRGI, the World Bank and the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment have relaunched ResourceContracts.org. The site now includes a set of new search features, expanded access to contract data, and more than 700 contracts.
Blog
Civil Society Faces Steep Obstacles, New Responsibilities
NRGI COO Suneeta Kaimal delivered opening remarks to the Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Mexico City. For a full slate of NRGI’s activities there, click here. To learn about some NRGI contributions at the conference, click here.
Low Oil Prices: Mixed Impact in Tanzania
Low commodity prices could threaten the Tanzanian government’s economic strategy, which is partially based on recently discovered, very large natural gas deposits.
Moving Beyond Oil in Libya: Once a Choice, Now a Necessity
Non-hydrocarbon sectors can generate meaningful jobs for many more young Libyans and would imbue the economy with more resilience.
Natural Resources, Representative Democracy and Development: What Role for Political Parties?
Political parties have an important role to play in managing natural resources. They have the mandate to aggregate citizens’ demands, interests and concerns and bundle them into policy alternatives and decisions. Learn more about NRGI's pilot political parties program in Ghana.
Contract Transparency a Critical Component of Civil Society Oversight in Mongolia
EITI and other pro-transparency measures have increased the availability of information about Mongolia’s extractive industries. At the same time, criticism of contracts and local dissatisfaction with mining operations persist.
Lack of Will, Understanding Inhibit Eurasia Open Government Participation
In Eurasia, the Open Government Partnership initiative’s level of adoption has been low. The greatest impediment to OGP adoption in Eurasia would seem to be a lack of political will.
African Journalists Deepen Extractives Knowledge In Redesigned Learning Course
After nearly five years running a journalist-tailored training curriculum, NRGI has reviewed, revised and updated course content to ensure it is fresh and responsive to journalists' needs. Journalists from Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda recently took part in the new curriculum.
Azerbaijan NGOs Analyze Transparency Report
A review recently prepared by a coalition of Azerbaijan non-governmental organizations is unique—it is one of the first deep analyses of that country’s EITI report, and the first based on the new EITI Standard.
Video
Will Outrage Over Corruption Lead to Reform in Nigeria's State-Owned Oil Company?
In a conversation at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Alexandra Gillies and Alex Sayne presented findings from the report they co-authored on the opacity of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Corruption Control, Governance Improvement Have Enormous Payoffs
Daniel Kaufmann, president and CEO of NRGI, discussed the wide societal benefits of addressing corruption and the dividends of good governance in resource-rich countries in a video keynote address to the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference in Brisbane.
NRGI in the News and Around the Web
Time: See the True Cost of Burmese Jade
Financial Times [paywall]: Trafigura made $4.3bn of direct payments to state oil cos
Vice News: How Myanmar's Landmark Election Could Influence One of Its Most Lucrative, and Shady, Industries
Washington Post: 5 Things the President of Nigeria Can do To Get His Country Back on Track
Graphic Online (Ghana): IFS Calls for Strong Governance Institutions
Digital Congo [French]: Les parlementaires d’Afrique francophones renforcent leur capacité
La FM Noticias (Colombia) [Spanish]: Colombia ha mejorado en lucha contra la corrupción, según estudio
Quartz Africa: East African governments are pushing to get more out of ‘Big oil’ than just tax dollars
Careers
NRGI is hiring. Learn more.
Resource Governance Index Recruiting Researchers and Peer Reviewers for 2016 Edition
NRGI is recruiting researchers from across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America to work on next year's Resource Governance Index, which will cover 79 countries. A full description of the roles and a list of requirements are available here.
The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) helps people to realize the benefits of their countries’ endowments of oil, gas and minerals. We do this through technical advice, advocacy, applied research, policy analysis, and capacity development. We work with innovative agents of change within government ministries, civil society, the media, legislatures, the private sector, and international institutions to promote accountable and effective governance in the extractive industries. For more information, please see: www.resourcegovernance.org. Copyright © 2015 Natural Resource Governance Institute. All rights reserved.