Tuvalu NGO says peer review a learning exercise

Latest Press Statement
06 May 2011
PRESS RELEASE (29/11)
6th May 2011

Tuvalu NGO says peer review a learning exercise

The umbrella group for non-government organizations in Tuvalu, the Tuvalu Association of NGOs (TANGO) has described the peer review of development coordination undertaken in the country over the past week as a learning process.

At the invitation of the government of Tuvalu, a peer review team consisting of government representatives from Tonga (Ms Sinai Tuitahi) and Vanuatu (Mr Johnson Naviti) representing Forum island countries (FICs) and Mr David Smith from UNESCAP representing development partners, held discussions during the past week with government ministries, private sector, NGOs, Members of Parliament and development partners resident in the capital Funafuti. The team also held discussions with the Tuvalu High Commission and development partners based in Suva, Fiji.

The peer review coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat under the Cairns Compact for Strengthening Development Coordination looks at how FICs formulate their priorities, turn them into budgets, implement plans and monitor and report on results as well as how development partners act collectively and individually to support these national priorities and processes.

Ms Annie Homasi, Coordinator of TANGO told the peer review team, “we consider the peer review as a learning process as we might find opportunities as we meet with the members of the team who have come from other countries in the region.”

She said: “The government of Tuvalu recognises the capacity of the NGOs in national development so invites us to be represented on various development committees.”

But Ms Homasi urges the Government to also involve NGOs in the annual national budget discussions.

The Tuvalu peer review team concluded its discussions in Funafuti Tuesday 3rd May. Before leaving Tuvalu, the team presented their preliminary recommendations to the Government. A draft report of the team’s findings and recommendations will be ready in two weeks after leaving Tuvalu for the consideration of the Government before a final report in six weeks. The final report will include recommendations on priority actions to strengthen development coordination in Tuvalu for the Tuvalu government and as well as for Tuvalu’s development partners.

ENDS

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