It is basically perceived to be a set of organizations working in parallel, relatively disconnected, each pursuing its own sectoral mandate despite important examples of joint cooperation. The capacity to deliver coherent policy advice is probably the most important global public good we can offer. There is a need to promote a shared understanding of people's needs to reduce poverty, increase employment and promote social inclusion. Its absence is making democracy and markets appear unable to deliver decent work for people. It also weakens families by undermining their sense of dignity and self-worth.
Poverty reduction continues to be a central objective of international policy-making.
We fully share the concern to balance timeliness in the preparation of the PRSPs with their quality, but we also understand the need to speed up the PRSP process as a prelude to achieving concrete results. In this respect, the conclusions of the Committee in April 2000 remain relevant. Moreover, the question of country ownership is crucial for the success of the whole exercise. People would only support the reforms in which they have a stake. Finally, the HIPC initiative must be supported.