Aid effectiveness initiatives in the Lao PDR
In accordance with the Prime Minister’s Decree no. 75 signed in March 2009, the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment is the Government Department responsible for planning, coordinating, monitoring, managing and facilitating all international initiatives that address and promote equitable and sustainable development in the Lao PDR.
Development Partners, through the Round Table Process, have recognised the increasing leadership of the aid effectiveness agenda by the Governmentof the Lao PDR, and acknowledge the key role it plays in increasing awareness of crucial issues such as nutrition and climate change.
The 2009 RTIM saw for the first time the submission of joint statements from each of the Sector Working Groups, demonstrating the strong cooperation, trust and harmonization between Government and Development Partners.
Sector Working Group Chairs and Co-Chairs were held throughout the year, increasing coordination, harmonization and alignment of goals and plans.
The Round Table Process has also seen enhanced Development Partner participation in the aid effectiveness process, through the consultation process for the development of the 7th NSEDP as well as the formulation of sectoral strategies through the Sector Working Groups.
Initiatives
In 2009 DIC implemented a number of new initiatives and also strengthened earlier initiatives, including:
- Monitoring of national and global commitments (Paris indicators and the 6th NSEDP)
- Implementation of the Prime Minister’s Decree no. 75 on Aid Effectiveness, strengthening intra-government coordination, enhancing accountabilities of Government agencies, simplifying administration processes and further promoting government ownership and leadership over ODA management and coordination processes and outcomes.
- Implementation of the revised and streamlined Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan, which now also incorporates the Accra Agenda for Action.
- Development of a common understanding of macro-economic reform and public financial management issues
- The finalization of the Standard Operating Procedures for ODA implementation.
- Support to the development of the 7th National Social Economic Development Plan.
- The reinstatement of an annual Foreign Aid Implementation Report to provide detailed information on development initiatives by development partners and to assist in improved planning of future initiatives in Lao PDR.
- Strengthening of support to, and coordination of, the Sector Working Group mechanism.
- Continued development of the ODA Database.