Global Witness

Global Witness combines investigation and advocacy to expose and reduce natural resource-related conflict and corruption. The project advances understanding of the environmental, socio-economic and governance dynamics driving the rapid allocation of land for agri-business plantations in the Lower Mekong, particularly rubber, and encourages policy and regulatory improvements. The intended outcome is greater transparency, respect for community rights, and environmental management of agro-industrial development by government and corporations in the Lower Mekong Basin, particularly Cambodia and Lao PDR.

Global Witness combines investigation and advocacy to prevent natural resource-related conflict and corruption. Their work fosters security, addresses conflict, tackles human rights abuses, fights against deforestation and helps build peace and stability in countries emerging from war and violence. Global Witness is working to reduce the negative environmental, social and governance impacts of Vietnamese rubber investments in northeast Cambodia and Southern Laos. This project will expand Global Witness’ efforts across the Mekong basin with particular attention to the role Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian investments in rubber play in driving deforestation.

Global Witness engages in research and advocacy to ensure that citizens benefit from, and do not suffer as a result of, their country’s natural resource wealth; that governments establish and enforce legislation aimed at addressing these challenges; and that companies involved in the extractive industries increase transparency practices and are held accountable for their activities. The grant will support the organization’s general operations.

Global Witness will work to understand and expose the environmental, socio-economic and governance dynamics driving the rapid allocation of land for agri-business plantations in the Lower Mekong and encourage policy and regulatory improvements. Large areas of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are being allocated by their governments for plantation developments, particularly food crops, biofuels, and raw material commodities such as rubber.

Global Witness campaigns against natural resource-related conflict and corruption and associated human rights and environmental abuses around the globe. This grant will provide general operating support to the organization.