ATLANTA (Oct. 31, 2019) — The Carter Center congratulates the Democratic Republic of Congo for being recognized by the International Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Board as having made “meaningful progress” in improving extractive sector transparency.
This achievement reflects significant collaboration between Congolese government agencies, extractive companies, and civil society organizations to shed light on a complex industry that has historically lacked meaningful public oversight.
"The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is a powerful global standard that promotes good governance of a country’s natural resources. By demonstrating progress in implementing the EITI’s transparency standards, the DRC has taken a key step toward improved management of its natural resource wealth," said Ambassador Mary Ann Peters, CEO of The Carter Center. "Urgent action is required on the part of all stakeholders to ensure that the DRC meets the challenges ahead and continues to make progress toward EITI validation. The commitment of the government and the Multi-Stakeholder Group to the EITI process and the engagement of civil society in this effort are critical."
The EITI Board’s decision requires the DRC to take corrective measures related to 13 of the 29 applicable requirements within 18 months to avoid suspension or de-listing from EITI. These measures involve issues related to the selection process and internal governance of the EITI-DRC Multi-Stakeholder Group; clarity on the assets, partnerships, expenditures, and financial practices of state-owned enterprises; transparency about the collection and allocation of off-budget revenues; and disclosure of sub-national transfers, production data, licenses, and social expenditures.
The Carter Center is committed to supporting efforts to address these issues ahead of the next validation phase, including by continuing to help national civil society organizations engage effectively with the EITI process. Indeed, the role of civil society in the process has been instrumental in the progress made by the DRC. As indicated in the EITI Board’s decision, it is critically important that the DRC government ensure that both international and national civil society organizations are free to participate fully in all aspects of EITI implementation as well as the larger public debate about natural resource governance in the DRC.
Most importantly, the data published through the EITI process must be used to advance accountability; transparency alone is not enough to ensure that the DRC’s natural resource wealth contributes to the country’s development. Ultimately, successful governance of the DRC's natural resources will not be measured by EITI validation, but by real improvements in the lives of Congolese citizens.
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Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, associate communications director, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org
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