Cairns Compact Peer Review Continues in Kiribati

Cairns Compact Peer Review Continues in Kiribati

PRESS STATEMENT 35/10
Monday 26th April 2010

The Cairns Compact Peer Review process continues in Kiribati this week to guide improvements in development coordination.

Kiribati was one of the first Forum Island Countries, along with Nauru, to volunteer for the Cairns Compact Peer Review exercise.

“A Peer Review was carried out in Nauru last month with very positive outcomes,” explains the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

“We expect that this will also be the case for Kiribati, and I commend both countries for their willingness to participate in this important exercise.”

The Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific was endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in August 2009.

Under the Compact, Leaders have called for more effective coordination of available development resources from Forum Island Countries and all development partners, focused on achieving real progress against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“Peer reviews are an opportunity for mutual learning between Forum Island Countries on one hand, and development partners, or donors, on the other,” says Mr Slade.

One of the key deliverables on progress under the Cairns Compact will be a Development Effectiveness Tracking Report. This will focus on, among other things, a process of regular peer review of countries’ national development plans and associated processes.

“It is firstly at the national level that we need to focus our attention to strive for tangible results,” says Mr Slade. “The aim of the peer review process is to complement efforts and assist member countries in their promotion and application of international best practice in key local sectors, promote effective budget allocation processes and guide support from development partners.”

Mr Slade further explains that countries themselves choose which of their regional neighbours and development partners will undertake the peer review, drawing on their experiences and lessons learnt.

In the case of Kiribati, the Peer Review team comprises representatives from Papua New Guinea as a fellow Forum Island Country neighbour, and New Zealand as a development partner. The Forum Secretariat provides the team with logistical and coordination support.

The Peer Review team will hold consultations throughout the week with representatives from various Kiribati Government Ministries, Development Partners, NGOs and the private sector.

ENDS

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