Momentum to meet the goals of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, endorsed by 60 partner countries in 2005, has increased recently with OECD’s release of new tools and documents. The Paris Declaration contains 12 indicators of progress to strengthen partner country ownership, donor alignment, harmonization, managing for results, and mutual accountability aimed at making aid more effective in partner countries.

In May, OECD released the first of three surveys (2006, 2008 and 2010) to determine the baseline for eight indicators against which future progress will be measured.  To date, 32 countries have agreed to participate in the 2006 OECD Survey on Monitoring the Paris Declaration.  The first two Desk Reviews, to evaluate the remaining four indicators, were published by the World Bank in its 2005 CDF review, “Enabling Country Capacity to Achieve Results.”  Two more desk studies on the remaining indicators--reliable country systems and untied aid--are scheduled.  A “Management for Results Sourcebook” CD and website are now available to help donor agencies and partner countries monitor their activities. 

On July 17, OECD released its “Methodology for Assessment of National Procurement Systems” which, along with improving public financial management, aim to strengthen Indicator 2. Through mid-August, the World Bank is receiving comments to inform its 2006 Aid Effectiveness Review, which will provide qualitative assessments of progress for all 12 Paris Indicators.