corruption in oil, gas and mining

Many countries that are rich in oil, gas and other minerals are nonetheless mired in poverty and poor government because the public revenues earned from selling these resources have been squandered through corruption and lack of government accountability to citizens.

Citizens of resource-rich countries cannot hold their governments to account, and ensure that mineral resources are used in a fair and sustainable way, unless they have full information about the management of these resources.

Through field investigations and high-level advocacy, we work to increase transparency in the flow of revenues from oil, gas and mining companies to governments, as well as more transparency in the award of mineral concessions, the trading of resources and the role of banks and other middlemen in resource-related corruption.

Global Witness conceived and co-launched the Publish What You Pay (PWYP) campaign, a civil society coalition with more than 300 member groups around the world, which works to promote greater transparency in the oil, gas and mining industries. We are also a leading participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a global process launched in 2003 which brings together governments, companies and civil society groups to work for greater public disclosure and independent oversight of oil, gas and mining revenues.