Peruvian Democracy Agonizes at the Devil's Turn
Two weeks after deadly clashes between Peru's indigenous groups and the national police, both sides gathered in Lima for the announcement of a public dialogue on resource development in the Amazon region. At least 34 people—police and protestors—were killed during the recent two-month strike over controversial land use and development laws that threatened to strip away any control by the indigenous people over their own lands or natural resources. Despite the reduction in violence, the country remains highlighly polarized, with its democratic institutions weakened. Read more ... | EspañolTroubled Gas Giant Faces Falling Demand
In April, a pipeline explosion disrupted natural gas supplies from Turkmenistan to Russia, possibly because state-controlled Russian company Gazprom had abruptly shut down the pipeline in response to shrinking European demand. The accident didn't just create a raucous diplomatic clash between Russia and Turkmenistan, it also underscored the massive financial challenges facing Gazprom, and the efforts of gas-rich Central Asian countries to diversify their markets beyond dependence on Russia. Read more ...Azeri Groups Outraged Over Proposed NGO Restrictions
On June 19, more than 50 representatives of non-governmental organizations and foundations converged outside Azerbaijan's Parliament, the Milli Mejlis, to voice strong concerns over pending changes to the nation's "On NGOs" law. The proposals threaten Azerbaijan's civil society presence and have direct implications for local advocates fighting for extractive industry transparency. Read more ...Can Ghana Avoid the Oil Curse?
In a policy briefing on resource revenue management in Ghana, Antoine Heuty of RWI and Andres Mejia Acosta of the Institute of Development Studies explore how domestic political factors may influence development outcomes through the management of natural resource revenues. Building on policy lessons from the management of Ghana's gold and cocoa, Heuty and Mejia Acosta analyze possible scenarios for sharing the windfall from the newly discovered oil resources. Read more and download the full report ...Helsinki Commission Co-Chair Calls for Revenue Transparency (United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe)
Efficiency of Public Spending in Resource-Rich Post-Soviet States
The Amazon's Indigenous Community Strikes to Protest Natural Resource Policies in Peru | Español
International Budget Partnership Releases Budget Brief for Donors (International Budget Partnership)
RWI Calls for U.S. Implementation of EITI | Français | Español
JOBS
RWI seeks a Senior Economist to work in our New York City office. Application deadline is July 17, 2009.
COUNTRIES
With the recent death of President Omar Bongo, Gabon faces a stark choice between a legacy of corruption and a new chance to give citizens a role in the management of its natural resources. The need for change is especially urgent because Gabon's oil reserves are finite. Oil production has dropped 30% since 2000, while leaders have allowed the non-oil industries to remain underdeveloped.
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Iraq
Iraq, a nation of 25 million people, holds the second largest oil reserves in the world, estimated to exceed 300 billion barrels. While Iraq enjoyed a period of relative prosperity and modernization in the 1950s and 1960s, its more recent history of pervasive violence, mismanagement and abuse has denied the people of Iraq any lasting benefits from this wealth.
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PUBLICATIONS
Getting a Better Deal from the Extractive SectorThe Government of Liberia won significant gains in taxes, social programs and corporate governance rules after renegotiating its contracts with the Firestone rubber company and the ArcelorMittal steel company. In a comprehensive report on Liberia's negotiations, Revenue Watch demonstrates the pivotal role that the contract process can play in economic recovery and development.
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