Deepened the debate on strategies and instruments for approaching countries with severe governance problems. The consensus in the international community on poverty reduction as a key global objective has widened and deepened over the last year. Development frameworks based around poverty reduction strategies at the country level are now the foundation for both bilateral and multilateral co-operation. The new guidelines agreed by the DAC and the untying of aid to the least developed countries contribute further important elements to this comprehensive approach. Participants welcomed this progress.
Implementation is now the main challenge.
Aid levels will have to reflect the needs of effective poverty reduction strategies. Participants emphasised the importance of building a broader consensus with Parliaments and public opinion on the need to reverse this trend, in the effort to achieve the agreed international development goals. Reducing the burden of multiple donor procedural requirements is also a major objective. Diversity of procurement and reporting systems tend to limit the capacity of partner countries to shape their own policies. Participants urged the new DAC Task Force on Donor Practices, in accordance with its mandate, to produce good practice reference papers.