The EITI would not exist were it not for PWYP. The EITI is largely the quasi-multilateral international response to civil society campaigning under the PWYP umbrella. PWYP needs the EITI global standard to ensure a platform for civil society to voice their interests about the management of natural resources. In turn, the EITI needs PWYP to shape its implementation to ensure that it really creates accountability and forges improved benefits for all. In short, my message to PWYP members across the world is that there is one global EITI standard which might not give you everything you want, but it is your EITI to shape in your country.
PWYP, as a civil society organisation, will always campaign for more. The EITI, being a coalition of countries, companies and civil society organisations, is likely to never agree to everything PWYP demands for. It is equally clear that the EITI could not deliver on its promises were it not for PWYP. Indeed, there would be little point of the EITI if there weren’t strong organisations in society, Parliamentarians, NGOs, journalists, faith groups, academia and so on, that can use the transparency that EITI makes available.
The EITI needs PWYP to link together civil society representatives in different resource rich countries. More can be done in sharing good practice on analysing reports, promoting debate and demanding better governance. EITI reports are not perfect, but as we approach the 100th report, political messages and important conclusions are emerging out of the tables of numbers.
More EITI countries, more need for PWYP coalitions
The EITI needs PWYP to mobilise their coalitions in the 36 EITI implementing countries and beyond, to strengthen their EITI efforts, and to link better to other countries and campaigning on other related issues. In some countries like Colombia, the US, Tunisia and the Philippines, where preparations are under way to implement the EITI, strong coalitions are needed to tackle the significant governance issues. Lastly, we also need to work more together in countries that have not – yet – committed to implement the EITI.
PWYP has created a light touch global network that is one of the major international successes in recent NGO campaigning. Congratulations to what you have achieved, here at the EITI and beyond.
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