Paris 2011

The 5th EITI Global Conference entitled Transparency Counts will focus on how the EITI is making a difference to the nearly half a billion people in 24 countries around the world who now have access to reliable revenue figures from the natural resources of their own country. In many cases, these figures have never been available before. In many cases, the revenue has been the source of bitter conflict.  In many cases, it has been the source of mismanagement and plunder.

Five countries - Azerbaijan, Ghana, Liberia, Mongolia and Timor Leste - are now EITI compliant. In these countries, the EITI has contributed to trust building, improved natural resource governance, civil society engagement and improved business environment.

In Paris, there will probably be a few more countries that have achieved compliant status. Many other countries will need to continue the journey to reach compliance.  The compliant countries will also need to continue to improve the quality of their reporting and multi-stakeholder dialogue.  This is the time to take stock of what the EITI standard means for the citizens of resource rich countries whose lives it was designed to improve. It is also the time to reflect on how to address the key challenges of the future, and to improve the rules of the EITI, ensuring that benefits of the EITI are enhanced.

The EITI Global Conference is the EITI movement’s coming-together.  Last time we welcomed over 500 participants from across 80 different countries. The 5^th Global Conference in Paris will be an opportunity to discuss the impact of the EITI, share lessons learnt from implementation and address future challenges for the EITI. Leaders from governments, companies and civil society are expected to take part in the debates in Paris, and we look forward to welcoming all stakeholders to shape the next stage of the EITI story.