The participation of the Timor-Leste Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (TL-EITI) and the Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNG-EITI) as international observers added a valuable regional dimension to the 2025 Extractives Transparency Week, as both delegations took part in all major activities held from 25 to 28 November 2025 in Manila.

Led by George Kauli, National Coordinator of PNG-EITI, and Emilia dos Santos de Jesus, National Coordinator of TL-EITI, the delegations observed key sessions across government, industry, civil society, and multi-stakeholder platforms. Their engagement offered opportunities to gain first-hand insights into the Philippines’ approaches to transparency, disclosure, and stakeholder participation, while also allowing for the exchange of experiences with Philippine counterparts and other stakeholders.

A highlight of the visit was the peer-learning session held on November 26, 2025, where PNG-EITI, TL-EITI, and PH-EITI shared comparative experiences on EITI implementation within their respective national contexts. The discussion covered legal and institutional frameworks, approaches to data collection and reconciliation, and country reporting processes. Each delegation presented the structure of its EITI system, the challenges encountered in implementation, and the reforms currently underway to strengthen extractive governance.

PH-EITI also shared its work on beneficial ownership transparency, including the integration of beneficial ownership disclosure within national reporting systems and regulatory frameworks. The discussions on beneficial ownership were particularly noted by the Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea delegations as highly relevant to their own reform agendas. Both delegations expressed interest in how similar mechanisms could be adapted to strengthen transparency and accountability in their extractive sectors.

The peer-learning exchange was also viewed as timely support for the upcoming EITI Validations of both Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. The sessions provided practical examples of how disclosure systems, stakeholder engagement structures, and institutional coordination can be strengthened to meet EITI requirements and sustain reform momentum.

The peer-learning exchange was also viewed as timely support for the upcoming EITI Validations of both Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. The sessions provided practical examples of how disclosure systems, stakeholder engagement structures, and institutional coordination can be strengthened to meet EITI requirements and sustain reform momentum.