CSO and EITI Process in Timor Leste?

MERICIO AKARALuta Hamutuk Institute

Timor-Leste

Publish What You Pay International Conference Montreal, November 16-18, 2009

Outline

EITI Process in Timor Leste? Challenges? Roles of Civil Society and Successes in

Timor-Leste Closing remark

Fundamental reasons of Timor Leste joining EITI:

Consistent with new country’s commitment to transparency and good governance

Reinforces Government of Timor-Leste’s recognition of the critical importance of proper, accountable management of petroleum revenues

Reinforces Government of Timor-Leste’s acknowledgement of the important role civil society plays in this regard

EITI – Timor Leste process?

2003 Timor-Leste announces its commitment in first EITI Global Conference in London

2004-05 Establishment of petroleum regime, incl. Petroleum Fund system

Nov 06 Gov. announces EITI Coordinators (Member of Government Focal Point and Public Servant Focal Point)

Jan 07 Gov. invites civil society, industry and government members to form EITI National Working Group

May 07 First working group meeting, monthly meetings follow

Aug 07 Gov. presents EITI Work Plan and draft ToR to EITI Secretariat

Sept 07 Working Group agree ToR and deliver revised work plan to EITI Board

EITI – TL Process?

Feb 08 Timor-Leste achieved its status an EITI Candidate Country

Feb-June 09 agreed on a template for EITI Report (disaggregate template)

Aug- Oct 09 Preparation of 1st Timor-Leste EITI Report

Nov 09-Jan10 Disclosure and dissemination of 1st Timor-Leste EITI Report

Dec 09-Mar 10 Preparation for a Validation (to complete by March 2010)

Challenges?

EITI is a new issue in Timor Leste Only few peoples that has knowledge on EITI Oil company not really cooperative at the early stage of

EITI (Conoco, ENI and Woodside – main operators) Week position of the Timor Leste government in front of

oil companies when discussing whether aggregate or disaggregate for the first report

Time constraint for Civil Society to give more feedback on EITI final report as well as for dissemination process

Lack of means for dissemination process (ex limited access of telecommunication in Timor Leste)

Civil Society Successes

Became an active member of EITI Working Group since the early stage of EITI process in Timor Leste

Has a strong voice at the EITI working group Became a central of Media coverage on EITI issues (it was an asset for

media advocacy) Strong in international networking via PWYP, RWI, CAFOD in doing

advocacy (ex. organizing international pressure such a statement toward oil companies in Timor Leste as regard to the disaggregate report demanding.

CSO has conducted an international workshop on validation and dissemination process in Timor Leste which in cooperation with RWI, PWYP, EITI Regional Secretariat and the Timor Leste government.

CSO has more progress in implementing EITI work plan then Government and Oil companies in Timor Leste

Closing:

CSO’s roles in Timor Leste was important to guaranty a systematic process of EITI so far

CSO TL became an important bridge between publics/communities voices and the EITI working group

Considering EITI Working group as a systematic framework for collaboration between government, industry and civil society

In general:

By joining EITI the potential negative impacts of mismanaged revenues can be mitigated, and these revenues can instead become an important engine for long-term economic growth that contributes to sustainable development and poverty reduction in TL

Implementing EITI in Timor-Leste is in line with Timor-Leste’s commitment in transparency and in managing its oil and gas sector

It helps to promotes accountability, and; EITI has been a model as well as a means for

communities and Civil Society to hold government accountable.

A LUTA CONTINUA!!!

OBRIGADU

TERIMA KASIH

THANK YOU