The non-profit Middle East Institute hosted a panel discussion on the potential benefits of Iraq’s vast oil and gas wealth and how they can be used to buttress the nascent democracy. The discussion moderator was MEI’s director for conflict resolution and Track II dialogues, Randa Slim, who was joined by a panel of top experts – at least top experts from outside of Iraq. Panelists included investigative reporter Erin Banco, Alan Eyre from the US State Department, Omar Al-Nidawi from the consultant Gryphon Partners, and MEI Scholar Jean Francois Seznec. Here is the event’s description from the invite:
Despite setbacks from the war against ISIS, Iraq remains the world’s fourth largest producer of oil, second only to Saudi Arabia among OPEC states. However, the administration of this vital natural resource has been plagued by corruption and disputes over how revenues should be allocated to promote equitable economic growth. The issue has drawn Iraq’s ethnic, sectarian, and political divisions to the surface.
How can Iraq harness oil revenue to strengthen institutions, grow the economy, and empower Iraqis to rebuild their society? How are relations between Baghdad and Erbil and other sectarian tensions complicated by the “resource curse,” and what can be done to overcome it?
The video is about 90 minutes. Take a look:
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