Message from EITI Chair: Integrating the EITI
The EITI Chair Clare Short’s term comes to an end at the Global Conference in Lima in February. In the first of a set of contributions, EITI Chair Clare Short reflects on her time as our chair in the lead up to her handover to the next Chair. In December 2015, the EITI Board nominated Fredrik Reinfeldt to be the next Chair of the EITI.

"After five years working extensively with the EITI and visiting many countries that are using the EITI to help improve the management of their extractive industries, I conclude that the EITI has achieved a lot in recent years. But given that our aim is to improve the management of these resources for the benefit of the people of resource rich countries, much remains to be done. 
 
The EITI has evolved from a narrow set of rules focused on revenue reconciliation, to a Standard covering all aspects of the extractive industry value chain, from licensing and contractual arrangements, to the operation of state owned enterprises and improved accountability on revenue management and expenditure.  In 2015, 37 of the 49 member countries produced EITI reports. It is a very welcome development that each has a focus on the country’s own priorities. This reporting has led to more informed debate and some clear reforms in implementing countries. Attitudes and practices on issues like contract transparency, beneficial ownership and commodity trading have evolved rapidly; and trust and cooperation have been built so that there is more agreement on the reform agenda.
 
Over the weeks leading up to the conference, I will reflect on the five challenges that I consider particularly important in the period to come. I begin today by commenting on the need to better integrate EITI reporting into transparent and robust government systems, rather than duplicate reporting  that is already in place. I will then address how we must do better in turning recommendations into reforms;  how we can make progress in reporting of who owns the companies and who benefits; the need for better participation by implementing governments, parliaments and citizens; and lastly some challenges facing the governance of the EITI itself."

The EITI Global Conference draws closer, and more speakers are being confirmed. Notable speakers include the President of Peru Ollanta Humala, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo Matata Ponyo , the Chair of Transparency International José Ugazand the President and CEO of Newmont Mining Corporation Gary Goldberg. Visit our conference website to read more about the programme, speakers and side events.

The deadline for registering for the EITI Global Conference is 10 February 2016.
 

New EITI Board to be elected in Lima
Members of the EITI Association will approve new Board in the Members Meeting in Lima on 23 February 2016. EITI implementing countries and civil society organisations are in the process of electing their nominees. Stakeholders should ensure that the membership of the EITI Association is up to date ahead of the Members’ meeting that will take place in Lima on 23 February 2016.
Read more »

County Focus: From Reports to Results
The theme of the Conference is "From Reports to Results", and there are already many countries such as  Liberia, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Philippines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United States and Zambia that have published reports with new data on their extractive sectors. Our next newsletter will highlight the information that is being disclosed in these reports. In the meantime, you can read some of the initial analysis on the latest EITI Reports »

United States: EITI welcomes first report
The United States has published its first EITI Report, providing comprehensive data on production and tax revenues from federal lands for the first time. The publication of the report is not without controversy, and company participation is in the spotlight. Read the report analysis »

Liberia: More data available on the country's natural resources
Despite major challenges faced by Liberia due to the Ebola epidemic, Liberia has now published their 2012/13 EITI Report, covering not only the extractive industries but also the agriculture and forestry sectors. The report shows that oil revenue was six times larger that in the previous year despite there not being any oil produced by the country. Read the report analysis »

Mali: Reforming at the low point
Although ensuring full company participation and robust data quality remain challenging areas of implementation in Mali, the 2013 EITI Report is a major step forward in producing meaningful and accessible data for citizens in the country’s resource-rich districts. Read the report analysis »

Mongolia: Falling revenues, rising disclosures
The abundance of Mongolia’s natural resources is matched by its extensive EITI reporting. The EITI Report includes new information on corporate governance, shareholding and contracts in Mongolia’s latest EITI Report. Read the report analysis »

Mozambique: Increasing tax payments despite drop in exports and production
Payments from extractive companies reaches USD 1 billion for the first time in 2014. According to the new EITI Report, capital gains tax continues to be the main source of revenue despite the fact that there has been a drop in production of extractives and the value of exports. Read the report analysis »

Niger: Increase in government revenue from the sector despite fall in production
Despite slumping mineral prices and a slowing economy, Niger’s government revenues from the extractive industries grew by 18% in 2013. The 2013 EITI Report shows declining production outweighed by license fees and bonuses. Read the report analysis »

Tanzania: More revenues from extractives despite falling prices 
The most recent Tanzania EITI Reports provide information on the new tax regime related to oil, gas and mining activities,which can help the public understand whether what should have been paid was paid. With the publication of these reports, Tanzania's EITI suspension has been lifted. Read the report analysis »

Trinidad and Tobago: Stable revenues from extractive sector amidst changing market conditions
Trinidad and Tobago's 2013 Report shows that, despite structural changes in its export markets, revenues from oil and gas remained stable. In addition to new information on the extractive sector, the report also contains a number of recommendations for improving natural resource governance. Read the report analysis »

Ukraine: The road to reform
After months of effort to engage government agencies and companies (including state owned enterprises), Ukraine’s much anticipated first EITI Report has been published. The report documents USD 3.3 billion of payments by oil and gas companies (including oil and gas transportation companies) in 2013. Read about the report »

Zambia: Understanding the changes in the tax system
Zambia’s tax regime governing the mining sector has undergone various changes over the years, and the new EITI Report provides an overview of these changes and what they might mean for government revenue and companies operating in the country. Read the report analysis »