Guyana has secured one of the most influential positions in global extractive governance, with Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat appointed to the Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Yet the international accolade comes as the country’s own transparency regime remains under examination and amid years of criticism over the functioning of the Guyana EITI process.

The EITI International Secretariat announced on June 30 that Bharrat has been nominated as a Principal Member of the Implementing Country Constituency, representing Latin America and the Caribbean for the 2026–2029 term following a four-month regional nomination process.

The appointment coincides with Guyana’s 2026 EITI Validation, a comprehensive review that measures whether the country is meeting international standards for transparency, public disclosure and meaningful participation by government, industry and civil society in the management of oil, gas and mineral wealth.