The OECD Risk Awareness Tool for Multinational Enterprises in Weak Governance Zones was adopted by the OECD Council on 8 June 2006. It aims to help companies that invest in countries where governments are unwilling or unable to assume their responsibilities. It poses a range of questions addressing risks and ethical dilemmas that companies are likely to face in weak governance zones, in such areas as:

• obeying the law and observing international instruments
• heightened care in managing investments
• political activities
• knowing clients and business partners and dealing with public sector officials
• speaking out about wrongdoing
• business roles in weak governance societies

The Risk Awareness Tool complements the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and was developed in response to the request made by the 2005 G8 Summit for developing OECD guidance for companies operating in zones of weak governance and the UN Security Council's call on OECD members to promote observance of the OECD Guidelines in response to the 2002 UN Expert Panel's report on illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Documents and links

OECD Risk Awareness Tool for Multinational Enterprises in Weak Governance Zones (pdf, 636 KB) French (pdf, 480 KB), 2006

Resources for companies working in weak governance zones

Conducting Business with Integrity in Weak Governance Zones: Project Outline, 2004

Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Public Statement by CIME, 12 February 2004

Multinational Enterprises in Situations of Violent Conflict and Widespread Human Rights Abuses, 2002 [ English / français ]