30 years of Global Witness

We were set up to identify the links between natural resources, conflict and corruption. Our goal: to document and expose how these links sustain poverty, fuel instability and destroy the environment. 

Our first campaign into the illegal timber trade between Cambodia and Thailand contributed to the downfall of the genocidal Khmer Rouge rebels. 

We expose the ‘blood diamond’ industry financing deadly wars and bring public attention to it by advising on the Oscar-nominated 2006 film. 

After the murder of a former colleague, Chut Wutty, we started documenting the murders of land and environmental defenders to highlight this hidden crisis. 

Our investigation into Africa’s oldest national park is turned into a BAFTA and Oscar-nominated documentary, which helps force an oil company out of the park and prevents future oil licenses. 

We reframe our work to centre on humanity’s greatest challenge: the climate crisis. 

As we move into our fourth decade we remain committed to redressing the power imbalance at the heart of the climate crisis. 

Looking back at this past work reminds us that there is still so much to be done. But this work is only possible because of the continued support we have received over the past three decades. If you’d like to join us in celebrating our 30th anniversary and help us continue our work, please consider donating.