THE Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has categorically denied the claims outlined in an article published on August 26, 2025, in the Kaieteur Newspaper, which alleged that the ministry was attempting to undermine the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process in Guyana by removing Policy Forum Guyana from its role.
The ministry, in a statement on Tuesday, emphasised that such assertions are profoundly incorrect and could damage the trust built among all stakeholders since Guyana joined the EITI in 2017.

The ministry highlighted that when Guyana initially committed to EITI, the responsibility for appointing the convenors of the three constituencies within the Multi-Stakeholder Group—government, civil society, and industry—was vested in the Minister of Natural Resources, who also serves as the EITI Champion for Guyana.
The champion, according to the ministry, ensures that the EITI standard is upheld at all levels of implementation.

Policy Forum Guyana was appointed by the previous EITI Champion as the Civil Society Convenor for the Multi-Stakeholder Group in 2017, a position that was never intended to be permanent.
The ministry also bore the costs for advertisements related to the convenor appointment process during both the 2017 and 2021 Multi-Stakeholder Group tenures.
However, the ministry pointed out that the established process was disregarded in 2025 when Policy Forum Guyana unilaterally appointed itself as Civil Society Convenor without following the necessary procedures that support the strengthening of EITI in Guyana.

In light of these developments, the ministry has taken steps in the spirit of inclusivity and dialogue by appointing a facilitator or mediator to help resolve the issue swiftly and ensure that all voices within the process are heard.

The ministry reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the full and transparent implementation of EITI and stressed the importance of each constituency freely appointing its representatives in line with EITI standards.