The oil, gas and mining industries are some of the most lucrative sectors for international investment. However, too often the activities of multi-national corporations, developing country governments and state-owned companies operating in these industries negatively impact societies, cultures, economies and environments. Lack of transparency and accountability facilitates embezzlement, corruption, and revenue misappropriation and has contributed to the widespread failure of the extractive industries to address poverty reduction. Disclosure of contracts and payments ensures that a resource-rich country's citizens can hold their governments accountable for the revenues that the government manages on their behalf.