16th IACC

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is one of the leading examples of global multi-stakeholder transparency initiatives. Established in 2003 and governed by an international multi-stakeholder board, the initiative provides on a national basis insights into revenues coming from extractives in 48 countries in 2015. By offering a participatory multi-stakeholder platform in implementing countries, it not only helps to detect gaps in financials as reported by governments and companies, but also an enabling environment for change. As EITI, the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) is a country centered multi-stakeholder initiative. CoST is designed to promote transparency and accountability in publicly financed construction. It was launched in 2012 after successful pilots in eight countries between 2008 and 2011.

Driven by need and inspirited by the impact of EITI and CoST, new global multi-stakeholder initiatives are currently being established for other sectors. Inspired by procedures and governance of EITI and CoST, these new initiatives seek to follow their example.

The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) seeks to increase transparency in fisheries access in to strengthening the enabling environment for responsible fisheries management. Announced in January 2015 at a high-level conference in Mauritania – a current conceptual phase is being undertaken consulting relevant stakeholders to establish a credible FiTI standard and to enhance number of countries for implementation in 2016. Besides Mauritania which is committed to implementation in 2016, a number of other countries already show great interest incl. Costa Rica, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Senegal, the Seychelles and several small island nations in the Pacific. The first international high level FiTI conference will take place in Nouakchott / Mauritania on December 14, 2015.

The Garment Industries Transparency Initiative (GITI) aims at promoting transparency as a means to improve working conditions in global garment supply chains. Started in 2013, and guided by a multi-stakeholder Advisory Board, the GITI commissioned two feasibility studies in Myanmar and Bangladesh incl. in-country stakeholder consultations in order prepare national implementation processes starting in 2016. A regional conference in Myanmar on September 8-9, 2015 will bring together representatives from governments, garment producers, buying companies and civil society members and trade unions from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

The Climate Transparency Initiative (CTI) seeks to increase transparency in climate performance by providing independent and credible assessments by collaborating with multiple-stakeholders. Started in October 2014, CTI is currently preparing a report on G20 climate performance in order to lay ground for a common framework towards a composite climate action index.

This is the first time ever high level session held within the International Anti-Corruption Conference bringing together major global multi-stakeholder transparency initiatives. It will be unique opportunity for cross-sectoral learnings of opportunities and challenges of transparency to increase accountability ending impunity.

This panel will share insights into evolution, experience, success factors and challenges of increasing accountability within the scope of the initiatives. It will discuss how the initiatives can help shaping an enabling environment to increase accountability. Following this, panelists will share their experience what conditions need to be met in order make this initiatives driving change.

Outcomes of this session will benefit those supporting multi-stakeholder transparency endeavors. It will also highlight opportunities and challenges of establishing transparency through global multi-stakeholder initiatives. It is envisioned that this session becomes the starting point of a regular exchange of existing initiatives on learnings, synergies, common goals and challenges in order to move global multi-stakeholder transparency initiatives to the next level.