### V. Points to be Followed in the Implementation and Management of ODA

1. Understanding of the Conditions in Individual Developing Countries and the Formulation of Country Assistance Programs

-To enhance the impact of ODA, Japan will endeavor to develop a better understanding of the specific conditions in individual developing countries and to provide forms of assistance that match the needs and conditions of developing countries. For this purpose, Japan will actively undertake various types of studies and promote policy dialogue with developing countries.

-Through the coordination of the pertinent ministries and government agencies, Japan will formulate "country assistance programs" based on current "country assistance policies." These country assistance programs will be formulated for major recipient countries of Japanese ODA and will specify the significance of the assistance provided by Japan, its basic objectives, the priority issues and fields, and the form of assistance to be deployed. These formulations will be based on a time frame of approximately five years.

-Country assistance programs will take an integrated approach to all forms of assistance and will take into account coordination and collaboration with other donor countries and international organizations, and collaboration with the private sector.

-Japanese diplomatic missions and the local offices of ODA implementing agencies will be more actively utilized, as they are in the best position to grasp the situations of and needs in developing countries.

2. Preliminary Studies, Environmental Considerations, Monitoring of Implementation, and Ex-Post Evaluation

## (1) Preliminary Studies and Environmental Considerations

-To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of ODA, preliminary studies will be conducted in accordance with country assistance programs to identify, formulate, and select appropriate projects. This process will be coordinated by maintaining close contact among related offices and, where applicable, the necessary adjustments will be made to avoid redundancies in preliminary studies conducted by ministries, government agencies, and related organizations.

-When necessary, rigorous examinations will be undertaken in accordance with environmental guidelines to assess the impact of assistance projects on the environment and regional communities. Appropriate measures will be taken in response to the findings. Depending on the assessed environmental impact, a proposed project may be canceled. To ensure that the proposed project contributes appropriately to sustainable development, alternative proposals will be formulated when necessary.

-In taking environmental matters into consideration, due attention will be paid to the importance of local participation and information disclosure in line with existing systems and situations in recipient countries. Procedures and standards pertaining to environmental considerations will be reviewed and improved as necessary.

## (2) Monitoring

-Monitoring of project implementation and progress will be upgraded and strengthened. When problems arise during implementation, efforts will be made to achieve the expected results by utilizing various available forms of assistance and by ensuring their coordination.

## (3) Ex-Post Evaluation

-Ex-post evaluation of completed projects, including identification and assessment of environmental impact, will be conducted in as many cases as possible, with results being made public.

-To improve the objectivity of the evaluation process, evaluations by experts, NGOs, other third parties, and persons from recipient countries evaluations will be expanded.

-In addition to determining whether a project purpose has been achieved, an evaluation will be directed at the impact on local and regional communities, the environment, and macroeconomic conditions.

-Follow-up actions will be taken as required by evaluation results. Efforts will be made to provide feedback on the evaluation results so that relevant lessons can be incorporated into future project formulation.

-Efforts will be made to create better evaluation systems by developing and introducing effective evaluation methods corresponding to the specific features of assistance projects.

### 3. Human Resources for Development Cooperation

Successful implementation of assistance ultimately depends on the skills of people. Thus, the availability and utilization of individuals with appropriate skills stands as extremely important requirement for the efficient implementation