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Co-authored by Javed Noorani and Lien De Brouckere, “A Balancing Act for Extractive Sector Governance” aims to examine the role and governance of the extractive sector in the economic development of Afghanistan. Specifically, the issue paper first addresses the threshold question as to whether, and if so, how the extractive sector can support economic development in Afghanistan without creating or contributing to conflict. Next, it identifies challenges and presents recommendations in two interrelated areas: (1) minimising negative impacts and (2) enhancing transparency and accountability about benefits. In analysing this balancing act, the study looks at existing procedures (i.e., regulatory impact assessment and Afghanistan Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) and the role of public participation and civil society actors in these. More broadly, the study serves as a basis for a joint review and discussion among Afghan and German experts, and feeds into the broader Afghan-German Govern4Afg dialogue about the future of the extractive sector in Afghanistan.

The issue paper was co-published in June 2016 by Afghanistan Research Evaluation Unit and GIZ.

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• The document is available on AREU’s website.