Women Leaders on the Evolution of Resource Governance
Over the past two decades, expectations around how natural resources are governed have shifted in fundamental ways. Transparency, once contested, is now widely expected. Public scrutiny has grown. And a broader set of actors—from governments to civil society to journalists—are shaping how resources are managed and who benefits.
As part of our International Women’s Day 2026 reflections, and as NRGI marks its 20th anniversary, we asked women leaders from our network to reflect on what has changed. Their perspectives highlight a clear shift—from secrecy to transparency, from isolated efforts to collective action, and from narrow debates to a broader focus on public value.
Changing the conversation
What was once opaque is now increasingly open to scrutiny. Over time, expectations have shifted—from secrecy to transparency, and from passive oversight to active accountability.
“What was bitterly fought over 20 years ago—like country-by-country reporting of payments to governments—has become routine. What now seems a trivial agenda item actually marks a historic turning point.”
Karina Litvack, former RWI board member, former NRGI governing board member
“In emerging and new producer countries, our greatest impact has been raising the bar. People in these countries now expect their natural resources to be managed transparently and deliver long-term benefits. They are the engine of accountability.”
Valérie Marcel, NRGI advisory council member
“One of the most important impacts of the resource governance movement has been bringing resource deals out of the shadows. Communities, civil society and journalists can now ask the right questions and demand democratic accountability.”
Audrey Gaughran, NRGI governing board member, NRGI advisory council chair
“One key governance win of the past two decades has been breaking the secrecy culture that once defined extractive industries. By making transparency an international norm, we have empowered citizens, the media and local governments to now demand accountability.”
Monica Araya, NRGI governing board member
Building the movement
Progress has been built through coalitions, shared tools and the work of people across countries and institutions, bringing greater coordination and consistency to how resource governance is understood and practiced.
“Engaging a generation of activists in resource-rich countries and helping them develop the expertise and skills to demand transparent, effective and accountable management of their country’s mineral wealth is our movement’s most important contribution.”
Karin Lissakers, founding president, RWI, NRGI advisory council member
“Over the years I’ve seen NRGI build extraordinary coalitions around the world, bringing together parliamentarians, civil society and journalists to help countries better manage their resource wealth.”
Anya Schiffrin, NRGI advisory council member
“NRGI’s Natural Resource Charter and Resource Governance Index help measure governance and highlight successful practices that resource-rich countries can adopt to strengthen transparency and accountability.”
Kathryn McPhail, NRGI advisory council member
“Civil society campaigns have helped raise public awareness of the need to manage the resource sector more effectively. Today there is growing demand for resource industries to be more open and accountable.”
Yuli Ismartono, former NRGI governing board member
Why governance matters
At its core, resource governance is about outcomes—how natural resources translate into public value, stronger institutions and better lives.
“The resource governance movement has helped shift the global conversation—from simply extracting resources to how those resources are governed and managed for public benefit.”
Carole Nakhle, NRGI governing board member
“One of the most important impacts of the resource governance movement is that it has become normal to discuss how resources are managed in offices and executive rooms where ‘good governance’ was once treated almost as a controversial term.”
Elena Panfilova, former NRGI governing board member
“For two decades, the resource governance movement has redefined extractive sector governance by embedding transparency, accountability and sustainability to deliver long-term public value for countries and their people.”
Lourdes Melgar, former NRGI governing board member
“Many major inflection points in recent history turn on natural resources—their discovery, their use and their limits. With strong governance, their potential can improve lives and livelihoods for the long term.”
Jordan Diamond, NRGI governing board member
What comes next
These reflections show how far the field has come, but also what remains at stake. As global demand for natural resources evolves, the challenge is to turn higher expectations into consistent practice—and ensure that natural resources deliver lasting benefits for people.