The EITI Board decides EITI status of eight countries

In recognition of their progress in implementing the EITI, the EITI Board has concluded that Kazakhstan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Peru are Candidate countries that are “close to compliance”. This was announced following the meeting of the EITI Board in Brussels 13-14 December 2010.

For each country, the Board analysed their final Validation Reports, and additional information provided by the International Secretariat. In each case, the Board agreed that the final Validation Reports did not conclusively demonstrate that all of the validation indicators have been met. For each country, the Board set out the actions required in order to achieve EITI Compliance.

Kazakhstan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Peru were granted six months (until 12 June 2011) to request a review by the International Secretariat to verify whether the country has reached Compliance. The Board retained the right to require a new Validation if the remedial actions are not completed within the six months.

Further, the EITI Board has concluded that the Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone have made meaningful progress in implementing the EITI. The Board agreed that the Republic of the Congo and Sierra Lone would retain their status as a Candidate countries, subject to a clearly defined and agreed work plan for achieving Compliant status, including a schedule for the next EITI Validation.

The Board congratulates the government, companies and civil society organisations in all eight countries for the progress made in implementing the EITI and for completing EITI Validation.

Validation is the quality assurance mechanism of the EITI process in countries implementing the EITI standard. It is an independent review that must be completed within two years of becoming an EITI Candidate country.

For further information about EITI implementation in these countries, contact the relevant Regional Director at the EITI International Secretariat.