Statement of CSOs in the Asia Pacific

WE, the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) representatives of the Asia-Pacific Region, express our deep concern over the attempt to include in the EITI International Board an additional CSO nominee who was not among those chosen by the CSOs in accordance with their own independent and transparent self-selection process. The principle and institutionalisation of independent self-selection among the CSO, government, and industry groups is essential to the existence of the EITI as a truly representative multi-stakeholder effort. Although the additional CSO nomination was withdrawn after CSOs indicated their opposition, we believe that the attempt to include an additional CSO nominee was in itself a serious and fundamental violation of EITI’s commitment to the principles and processes of transparency and multi-stakeholder participation. We therefore call upon those involved in this transgression to be held accountable in order for EITI to continue with its credibility and integrity intact. The EITI articles of association should be reviewed to ensure independent, transparent, and accountable nomination process of representatives to the board.

We thank the other stakeholders in government and industry for their understanding and/or support to the CSOs on this issue and the non-inclusion of the additional nominee from the EITI International Board. And we reiterate our commitment to make the EITI the truly transparent and participatory process that we all want it to be.

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