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Minutes of
the 17th Meeting
H.E. Chhieng Yanara,
Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and chairman of the Partnership and
Harmonization TWG, welcomed all participants to the meeting.
In his opening remarks, he listed the main
objectives of the meeting as to further provide briefly information and
accelerate the initiative work committed in the 3rd CDCF which mainly
related to Program-Based Approaches Concept Note and Clinic, and to shape the
Revised TWG Guideline as well as Analytical Works. The Chair
further added that the TWG Network Workshop, held on 7-8 September at Siem Reap,
provided the opportunity to TWGs and DPs to address their concerns and support
requirements related to PBA Concept Note and Clinic, and Revised TWG Guideline,
which led to effectively apply these works in specific and cross sectoral
implementation. He also mentioned that the direction
of RGC and DP works in implementing and monitoring the series of actions at
sector level including JMIs, strengthened leadership and capacity, and
coordination has been cleared and linked to the major reforms, which ensured the
result focus. 1. The agenda items of the meeting were:
i. The discussion and agreement on the drafts of: a. Revised TWG Guideline b. PBA Concept Note
ii. Discussion on findings and ways forward of the analytical works: a. Cambodia Evaluation of the Paris Declaration Phase II b. Use of Country Systems c. Making Partnership Effective
iii. Other business a. Climate change b. 2011 Paris Declaration Monitoring Survey
[All presentations are available on www.cdc-crdb.gov.kh] Revised TWG Guideline 2. The Revised TWG Guideline has been re-edited based on some comments received from the TWG Network Retreat meeting and later submitted comments. The main areas of change are: 1) Composition of TWG (especially CSO), 2) Size of TWGs and the use of the sub-group, 3) Cross-cutting issues and appointed focal point, 4) Support mechanism and role of CRDB/CDC to TWG. 3. Additional comments were made by DPs Representative related to the Revised TWG Guideline during meeting: - Germany representative suggested adding more concrete information on how the TWG secretariats managing their resources in a certain timeframe which shall be supported by own government ministries, not only by CRDB and DPs, in Internal Support Structure (p.6) part of the guideline, as well as, clarifying the financing gap to TWG secretariat functions. - CCC representative also asked firstly to change some wording used that address “NGO representative will be invited” in which it would clarify the degree of engagement. Second, it would need to substance the engagement of NGO in capacity development of government counterparts through policy discussion. Third, there would need to mention on feedback mechanisms of NGO communities through evident-based practice. Lastly, there would need to address the participation of NGOs in the informal pre-meetings. - UNDP representative pointed out whether the guideline should address how to attract broaden group of DPs to actively participate in the TWGs’ work, discussion of PBAs and other TWG mechanisms. - SIDA representative suggested that the guideline should mentioned more on cross-cutting issues and inter-ministerial coordination, and these issues should be updated or discussed more in the next GDCC meeting. - AusAID representative appreciated the quality of the revised TWG Guideline, in particular at top of page 2 where government representative of relevant ministry of TWG as well as at senior level to represent to view of the organization. ADB representative sought to clarify the role of CSO and business communities in RGC mechanisms such as TWG mechanism, as currently the communities might cover the private sector groups, more involve in the Government-Private Sector Forum. 4. In response to DP comments, the Chair re-affirmed that the revised TWG Guideline should not be definitely prescriptive; yet generally, all TWGs would be suggested to optionally review or update their current ToRs after the guideline adopted. It was clear that the size, capacity and working arrangement of TWG members should be defined by their own TWGs based on ToRs. Further, the guideline also revealed the strong leadership and capacity of TWGs in terms of reporting and feedback information, and stated the clear objectives of TWG meetings. 5. Regarding to pre-meeting, it was agreed that the next TWG Network Retreat would be extended CCC or NGO representative participation, while the pre-meeting of GDCC or CDCF should require only the participation of Lead DP-facilitators/coordinators in order to discuss and agree on the agenda of the meetings which mainly related to JMIs, CDCF commitments, and TWG progress reports. 6. Furthermore, the Chair verified that the role of public sector coordination mechanism, responsible for ODA coordination and management such as CRDB/CDC, was to increase efficiency of its own work and relevant stakeholder capacity in sectors as well as promote efficient use of all public resources (Government and donors), while the role of private sector coordination mechanism was to cope up issues with private sector like Government-Private Sector Forum. In short, referring to Rectangular Strategy phase II, the public and private sector would be merged into one called Cambodia Development Forum (CDF) which would be more involved by public and private sectors. 7. As regard to Germany representative comment, the Chair pointed out that “the Government own resource to TWG functions” should lead to discouragement of some DPs who usually provide support to the TWG secretariats. CRDB/CDC, under support from MDSP, has and will continue to support TWGs, who did not receive support from DPs, in terms of capacity development. In this case, DPs were asked not only to provide financial support to TWGs but also build their capacity, and they should be aware of RGC financial circumstances. However, the initiative made by Germany would be considerably reflected in the final draft of the Revised TWG Guideline. 8. Mr. Phillip Courtnadge, Senior Advisor to CRDB/CDC, addressed that, based on Use of Country System Study, DPs should be the fund providers to Government line ministries, especially support to the TWG secretariat functions, and get common approaches to support capacity of Planning and Financing Department. Further, there would need to incorporate the TWG secretariat functions into the broader government planning, financing and M&E functions. PBA Concept Note
9. PBA Concept Note has been revised mainly clarifying PBA as supporting instrument rather than funding modality, elaboration of PBA process should be commonly understood by all relevant stakeholders, some further clarifications of PBA Clinic content, and one page annex trying to show each component and linkage.
10. Additional comments raised by DPs were as following: - JICA representative suggested reversing order of the Integration of Multiple Funding Modalities of a PBA diagram according to PBA was a policy driven approach. Further, the top layer of Engagement in Nationally-Own Sector Program or Reform should be included boxes of priority strategic areas, and middle layer should be shown in separated boxes. - In addition, PBA Concept Note conclusion should be shifted to introduction part because of its clearer define of the PBA Concept Note. - EU representative supported the JICA suggestion to upside-down the diagram in which Government national policy framework shall be the highest level as a guideline element for PBA and she also recognized the value, clear step and the quality of the PBA Concept Note which would restore alignment of multiple partner support for a program. - UNDP representative sought to have piloted TWGs to apply the PBA approach and identify which TWG who would lead the PBA clinic, mention status of negotiation, leadership and commitment of the TWG on how the PBA Clinic would work. 11. Suggestions made by JICA representative were consented. The Chair clarified that potential TWG Gender should be a first piloted TWG to implement this Concept Note and lead PBA Clinic because of its strong commitment and leadership. He added that other piloted TWGs to lead this exercise would depend on negotiation, situation and understanding of the ministries or agencies regarding common PBA. CRDB/CDC would be ready to provide technical support to any sectoral needs while attempting to build its own capable team relating to PBA Clinic. Remarkably, PBA and its Clinic’s benefit should be understood by all role players, especially the government top management. In wrapping up, DPs comments and suggestions would be reflected in the PBA Concept Note final draft.
Findings and ways forward of the analytical works
A. Cambodia Evaluation of PD Phase II
12. The Chair stated that the report on Cambodia Evaluation of PD Phase II is expected to be finalized by incorporated all comments made and submitted to the International Reference Group before the deadline of 25th October 2010.
B. Use of Country Systems
13. The report of the study on Use of Country Systems has been submitted for comments. This report provided clear and straight-forward information with broader definition and coverage of the term “Country System”. In addition, more discussion on this issue would be held during the workshop on the Use of Country Systems in Mid-November.
C. Making Partnership Effective 14. The 3rd stage of the “Making Partnership Effective” has been completed, and the report has been shared. Regarding the above analytical works, the chair emphasized that these three studies were crucial and would be used in the aid coordination policy formulation and process.
Other business
19. The RGC agreed with UNDP to conduct a study and explore the climate change in Cambodia, mainly related to the Effective Aid Management. This study would be led by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and supported by CRDB/CDC.
20. Regarding the 2011 PD Monitoring Survey, the chair also informed the meeting that RGC agreed with OECD/DAC and Capacity Development for Development Effectiveness (CDDE), with support from DFID, ADB, and UNDP, to organize two-day Regional Workshop (10-11 November, 2010) in order to launch Cambodia 2011 PD Monitoring Survey. The representatives from MoP and MEF would be invited to join the workshop, as they would respond to the qualitative questions, and some DPs would be suggested to contribute critical ideas related to geographic balance of the workshop. Moreover, there would be another workshop on ODA Database Statistics. All participants would be invited by OECD-DAC. Although, DPs were asked to review the survey and timely updating information into the Cambodia ODA Database system. Therefore, the report of Cambodia 2011 PD Monitoring Survey was planned to submit to OECD secretariat by 31st March, 2011.
21. The next Seventeenth GDCC meeting would be held on 18th October 2010.TWGs were requested to submit their progress reports along with JMI implementing progress reports to CRDB, GDCC secretariat, by 31st September 2010. The reports should address key sector specific issues. Beside, the lead DP facilitators were asked to sign on the progress reports for the approval.
22. The meeting was adjourned around 4.30 pm in a very cooperative and successful manner.
Report by: Aid Coordination Policy Department |