The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Board has agreed to lift Liberia’s temporary suspension effective 6 March 2020. The decision is due to improvement in implementation related to multi-stakeholder group (MSG) oversight (Requirement 1) and the publication of outstanding EITI Reports.
The findings of the review reflect an improvement in EITI implementation between June and December 2019. Liberia has demonstrated considerable progress in addressing gaps identified in the review of Requirement 1, which was concluded in June 2019. Within a short timeframe, the Government of Liberia has demonstrated its full commitment to the EITI process, which has led to the restoration of the credibility of Liberia EITI.
This is evident from government funding allocated to the process, the publication of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 EITI Reports, the development of a 2019/2020 work plan, and the preparation of the 2017/2018 Annual Progress Report. Liberia’s second Validation will commence on 1 July 2020.
Background: Liberia has been temporarily suspended from the EITI since September 2018 due to reporting delays and a stalled MSG process. In March 2019, the Board mandated the Secretariat to undertake a review of adherence to Requirements 1.1 – 1.5 and found that limited progress had been made in meeting the requirements. The Board agreed that Liberia would need to demonstrate progress in meeting the requirements by 31 December 2019 to avoid delisting. The EITI Board reviewed progress made and agreed that the EITI process in Liberia has been credibly revived.