The meeting of the 1st Working Group of the Africa-EU Platform for Dialogue on Governance issues was held on 9 June 2011 in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting brought together officials from the AU and EU Commissions, national Experts and representatives of CSOs from both continents, aiming to build on the analysis of the main challenges related to the governance of natural resources, including in conflict and post-conflict situations and focus on new policy responses and initiatives and ensure a multi-stakeholder dialogue on how to improve their implementation.

While revenues from Natural Resources can be an important development enabler and driver of economic growth, participants have highlighted the fact that weak political and economic governance increase the vulnerability of countries to undergo conflicts and are the main source of the mismanagement of natural resources: "the paradox of rich but poor countries."

Challenges related to the governance of natural resources are often deeply rooted in political, economic and social structures and therefore there is a need for multi-disciplinary and integrated approaches in addressing a range of issues (the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; transparency and accountability mechanisms, reinforcing monitoring, etc.) both at global, continental and national levels.

More information and documents can be found on a special web-page related to this subject in democracy and governance partnership section.