Natural Resources and Violent Conflict - WaterWiki.net

chapter 4Where Did It Come From?Commodity Tracking SystemsCorene Crossin, Gavin Hayman,and Simon TaylorTHIS CHAPTER PROVIDES A BASIC UNDERSTANDING of the main elementsof a generic commodity control system. It also seeks to compare andcontrast the key features of existing international commodity-specifictracking regimes (CTRs) to allow for more effective controls in the future.The specific international CTRs examined cover diverse areas ofregulation of trade in endangered and threatened species; governanceof renewable resources like timber and fish; control of environmentallydamaging chemicals, including hazardous chemicals, persistent organicpollutants, pesticides, and ozone-depleting substances; security-relatedcommodities such as small arms and light weapons, diamonds, and radioactivematerial; consumable commodities regulated for health reasons,including meat and genetically modified organisms; and “ethical”sector products, including products manufactured in accordance withinternational labor laws preventing the use of prison labor and soforth. Although most of these commodities are not generally associatedwith conflict or poor governance, the development of CTRs providesuseful lessons that can be applied in addressing the link between naturalresources and civil wars.There is no one-size-fits-all specification for a successful commoditycontrol regime—details will vary depending on the nature of the commodityand the nature and status of the international legal instrumentsused to impose controls. Nevertheless, there are common elements insuccessful control regimes, such as transparency, accountability, andcoordinated and timely flow through well-designed, shared formats.97