As part of its #DiscloseTheDeal Campaign on extractive contract disclosure, and in partnership with Natural Resources Government Institute (NRGI) and Oxfam America, Publish What You Pay hosted a virtual session at the OGP Global Summit in December 2021. We discussed with civil society, government and private sector representatives the global and local progress made on contract disclosure and what still needs to be done.
Contract disclosure is key to ensure transparency and good governance in the extractive industries: It helps people understand the risks and rewards of extraction, prevents corruption, supports the transition to a low carbon world and builds trust.
At least 31 countries have a law for open deals, 55 countries implementing the EITI standard now have to disclose new extractive contracts and mandatory publication has been endorsed by the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Council on Mining and Metal, more than 40 oil, gas and mining companies support the practice and more than 20 commitments on this topic have been included in Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plans (NAPs). But contracts often remain secret.
In 2022 more than 20 countries will co-create their OGP NAPs, but a question still remains: how can OGP help governments to get more deals disclosed?
Building on lessons learned from past OGP commitments, the panel provides a global overview of the progress made on contract disclosure and what still needs to be done. It also takes a deep dive into specific countries that will co-create National Action Plans in 2022.
Speakers:
- Robert Pitman, Senior Governance Officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI)
- Meliana Lumbantoruan, Program Manager, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia
- Carla Flores Lot, Researcher, CartoCrítica (Mexico)
- Richard Morgan, Head of Government Relations and Political Risk, Anglo American
- Nana Akua Agyei, Manager, Legal, Ghana Petroleum Commission
- Closing remarks: Aubrey Menard, Senior Policy Advisor for Extractive Industries Transparency, Oxfam America
Moderator: Elisa Peter, Executive Director, Publish What You Pay (PWYP)