Solutions to ensure that natural resources support development
REM operates as an Independent
Monitor of Law Enforcement and Governance.Founded in 2003 by experts with over 15 years of monitoring
experience, we provides concrete and long-term solutions to ensure
that natural resources support sustainable development. Our vision
is that accountable governments ensure the sustainable and equitable
management of natural resources for the benefit of society as a
whole.
Our mission is to stimulate government reform and
action in natural resource extraction through independent monitoring
and credible reporting of illegalities and related governance problems.
We use this information to develop, with the concerned actors, constructive
and viable solutions and assist in their implementation.
Independent monitoring is a systematic and proactive audit-style
approach that promotes good governance of state-owned natural resources
and compliance with resource-extraction laws, treaties, and contracts
through tailored recommendations. REM operates via in-country formal
contracts with the recipient government and donors. We work in the
field to identify and investigate cases of illegal activity, trigger
official action, and follow their progress through administrative
and judicial systems.
REM briefing note on forests
and governance in the Republic of Congo
A briefing note produced by REM in 2009 includes information on
permit allocations, illegalities, delays in management plans, taxes
and fines in the Republic of congo
Increase of fines by the Government, cancellation
of 55 different forest titles, all following joint REM-Government
investigations
4.5% infractions detected in 92 forest titles
in the past 3 years compared to 22% in previous 4 years
Numerous texts amendments and new regulations
Several changes in Ministry staff and the commissioning
of a study on governance on the forestry sector by the Ministry
Increased number and quality of government officers’
mission reports, which also now feature maps, GPS coordinates
and others relevant tools
Steady increase of the annual surveillance of forest
titles by Government missions (32% in 2005, 36% in 2006
and 45% in 2007) due to joint REM-government missions. In the
last year (2007), for the first time the National Law Enforcement
Brigade achieved the required annual coverage rate of 50%
The rate of respect of procedures during investigation
missions by Government officials has increased to 67% in 2007,
due, among others, to regular monitoring, joint preparatory meetings
and comments by REM on how to prepare a mission and better investigate
logging concessions
Increased transparency through a rate of publication
of REM's reports today estimated at 93 %
During the last three years, the Government has steadily increased
its capacity to recover fines related to illegal
forest activities. During 2007 for example, the recovery rate
was at 41% against less than 20% in previous years
REM has managed to mobilise or increase several
diplomatic representations’ interest in the forestry
sector. These actors have brought in a much needed leverage
against bad governance practices and provided support to the Ministry’s
current reforms in the forestry sector
Our areas of work
Forests
REM's
current expertise is focused on the forest sector. Illegal logging is
usually defined as logging in violation of national laws. Although it
has mainly been associated with environmental concerns in the past, the
large sums of money involved and significant State revenue losses are
now widely known and acknowledged as a serious issue. REM's approach focuses
on governance, law enforcement and compliance and provides a systematic
documentation of where opportunities for corruption arise in the application
of procedures and legislation from the field through administration to
the judiciary . REM dedicates time to analyse findings, broadly consult
and provide recommendations to support the improvement of these systems.
Fisheries
Building
on its experience in the monitoring of timber, REM is currently looking
at applying the REM approach to independent
monitoring and its investigation
techniques to the monitoring of other natural resources. Whilst the
modes of exploitation of other resources differ significantly from that
of timber, there are key similarities in lack of governance and transparency
within those sectors.
REM's
current expertise is focused on the forest sector. Illegal logging is
usually defined as logging in violation of national laws. Although it
has mainly been associated with environmental concerns in the past, the
large sums of money involved and significant State revenue losses are
now widely known and acknowledged as a serious issue. REM's approach focuses
on governance, law enforcement and compliance and provides a systematic
documentation of where opportunities for corruption arise in the application
of procedures and legislation from the field through administration to
the judiciary . REM dedicates time to analyse findings, broadly consult
and provide recommendations to support the improvement of these systems.
Building
on its experience in the monitoring of timber, REM is currently looking
at applying the REM approach to