EITI Debate: What's the deal? Contract transparency in Latin America and the Caribbean
From data to dialogue
Contract transparency is an essential element of EITI implementation and has been advancing at different paces in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Registration: Registration closed
Recording: available in original language
Language: English and Spanish interpretation was provided
Speakers
The webinar was moderated by Jennifer Lewis, Deputy Director of the Anti-corruption Task Force, USAID.
Panellists
- Juan Carlos Zepeda, Energy Director, Mexico Infrastructure Partners - Mexico
- Ruth Hidalgo, Director, Participación Ciudadana - Ecuador
- Melanie Richards, Independent Consultant - Trinindad and Tobago
- Miguel Díaz, Viceminister of Mining - Dominican Republic
Background
The provisions of Requirement 2.4 of the EITI Standard include the publication of the full text of contracts and licenses that came into force after 1 January 2021 and their amendments. Having a contract transparency plan in place, listing all contracts and licenses in force, disclosing the policy and legislative framework, and documenting any deviations from the disclosure policy are all elements that strengthen business conditions, transparency and accountability.
However, in Latin America and the Caribbean, confidentiality clauses in contracts and legislations are the main barriers to contract disclosure. A recent study of contract transparency in the LAC region shows there is a major opportunity in increasing advocacy to contract transparency from all actors involved in EITI implementation in the region.