In early 2025, Chile is advancing its Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) implementation, presenting a key opportunity to institutionalise transparency and strengthen civil society participation in governance. A Multi-Stakeholder Group (GMP), which includes civil society representatives, is finalising its structure and regulatory framework to ensure transparency in the extractive sector in Chile.
While civil society participation is secured, challenges remain in enforcing transparency commitments and overcoming potential resistance from industry stakeholders. The next phase of implementation in the coming months will be a crucial window for advocacy and oversight to ensure civil society has a formalized role in transparency discussions.
Key Opportunities:
-Institutionalise civil society’s oversight role in extractive governance
-Strengthen independent monitoring of public-private sector interactions
-Establish a model for participatory governance in other sectors
-Influence broader transparency reforms, including Law 20.500 on Citizen Participation and the National Integrity Strategy (ENIP)
This event is part of an ongoing pattern of increasing transparency efforts in Chile’s governance, particularly in the extractive industry. Over the past year, the government has taken several steps to align with international transparency standards, including the decision to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2024.
Similar initiatives have emerged in related sectors. For example, in August 2024, Chile launched the National Implementation Plan for the Escazú Agreement (2024-2030), aimed at strengthening public participation in environmental decision-making. Additionally, reforms to Law 20.500 on Citizen Participation in Public Management are expected to be sent to Congress between March and April 2025, aiming to enhance civil society’s role in policymaking.
The establishment of the Multi-Stakeholder Group (GMP) in early 2025 is consistent with these broader efforts. However, past initiatives have faced challenges in institutionalizing transparency commitments, making civil society advocacy crucial to ensuring lasting impact.