Innlegg på EITI-Seminar i Baku

Innlegg statsråd Ola Borten Moe på EITI-seminar, Baku 6. juni 2011.

Ladies and gentlemen!

It’s a pleasure for me to be here in Baku, addressing you on an important subject as Extracting Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

Let me start with expressing the Norwegian government’s support and commitment to the EITI. Both Azerbaijan and Norway have for many years, taken an active part in the EITI-process. Our roles might have been different, but our aim has been the same in - “Making resources work for the people”.

Azerbaijan has taken a lead by being the first compliant country within the EITI-family. You are probably the country who, under the EITI-logo, has produced and published most reports — 13 to my knowledge.

Norway has been a strong supporter of the international EITI-work both politically as well as financially. We’ve been active engaged in the EITI
Board and we are happy to have the international EITI-secretariat placed in
Oslo. In 2009 Norway also became an implementing country and was accepted as compliant or full member by March this year.

Why is EITI important? EITI is about economic development and prosperity with transparency and good governance as the tool.

Transparency is important. Transparency makes governments accountable to their people. Transparency is a precondition for democracy and development. The EITI principles are global and so should disclosure of payments and revenues be.

Today more than 3 billion people live in countries rich in natural resources.
This is a source that can fuel economic and social development and that’s what EITI is about. That’s what we’re trying to achieve.

Transparency and good governance create good investment climate and attract investments which again is important to economic and social development.

Transparency is a tool in fighting corruption. Corruption is not a problem limited to poor countries. It’s a problem we all have to deal with.

Both our countries have played an important role in promoting the EITI. We have to continue our efforts in doing so.

Management of natural resources for the benefit of Norway’s citizens, accountability, transparency and engagement from stakeholders has been core principles to Norwegian governments long before EITI.

But I hope Norway by implementing the EITI-criteria will encourage other countries to work towards transparency and good governance and we are happy to share our experiences.

Our experience with the EITI-implementation so far has been positive.
We’ve worked together with a small (12 representatives, each with their deputy) and efficient stakeholder group and together we have agreed on how to report and publish payments and revenue.

Under the EITI-rules we have produced 2 reports. The reports publish payments by each company. Disclosure of company payments is nothing new in Norway but the EITI reporting provides more details. I’m glad but not surprised, that the sum of all payments corresponds to the achieved payments reported by different government agencies. The EITI report confirmed what has been published in previous Report to the Storting/Parliament (State Account).

All of you here today are doing an important job in bringing the EITI process further and “making the resources work for the people”.

I wish you all the success in your work and promise you will have our
support.

Thank you!