Project for least developed, landlocked and island developing countries

Project title:

Enhancing efficiency in external aid utilization in the least developed countries

• About the project
• Meetings and workshops
• Publications

About the project

Duration of the project:

May 1996 - June 1999

Objectives:

To enhance efficiency of external aid utilization and management in the least developed countries with special attention given to: (1) review of trends in external aid flows, their sectoral allocation and assessment of their effectiveness in their utilization to attain development objectives; (2) identification of constraints and problems in aid use, including policies and institutional mechanisms for aid coordination and management; and (3) recommendations on measures and guidelines for more effective use of aid in support of national economic development in the least developed countries.

Participating countries:

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Maldives, Myamnar, Nepal, Samoa, and Vanuatu. The Forum secretariat, as well as representatives from Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member countries, also participated.

The project targeted officials responsible for coordination and management of external aid from planning commissions, ministries of finance and economy, and central banks.

Outcome:

Participants in the regional seminar adopted a set of findings and conclusions which identified constraints in aid coordination and management, and recommended measures and guidelines for more effective use of aid, which are being reproduced in Aid Coordination and Administration, Least Developed Countries Series, No. 2. Follow-up suggestions include

(1) national workshops to sensitize a wider audience in each country to the issues and the recommendations,

(2) bringing the conclusions and recommendations to the attention of the DAC and donor countries, and

(3) further exchange of experience including through technical cooperation among least developed countries.

An issues paper containing the main findings, conclusions and recommendations of the regional seminar was presented and discussed during the fourth session of the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries, Bangkok, 20-21 April 1999. The Special Body adopted a set of conclusions and recommendations on the topic of effective utilization of development assistance (see Report of the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries on its fourth session, E/ESCAP/1140, paras 1-22.)

Meetings and workshops

• Regional seminar for exchanging experiences and formulating guidelines,
  Bangkok, 9-11 December 1997

Publications

• Aid Coordination and Administration, Least Developed Countries Series, No. 2, 2000: (ST/ESCAP/1981)

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