Third Steering Group meeting takes place in Paris

On 17 October 2008, the PDG Steering Group held its third meeting at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris. The Steering Group approved the PDG Core Document: Mandate and Procedures—which will govern the operating modalities of the Partnership—and agreed on a tentative list of priority countries for PDG support in the field. It was also decided that additional proposals would be discussed at the next Steering Group meeting in June 2009. In addition to Steering Group members, a number of invited guests were present, including representatives from the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Republic of South Africa, and Sweden, as well as of the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank.

Experts Group contributes to PDG Mandate in first meeting

On 16 October 2008, the PDG Experts Group held its first meeting. The meeting brought together experts from 13 countries and was also attended by a number of focal points from PDG member countries and organisations. The experts provided inputs and insights related to the PDG mandate and concept as well as valuable feedback for the ongoing work of the Partnership. Experts also presented discussion papers on lessons from technical assistance in Afghanistan, Haiti, Liberia, South Sudan and Timor-Leste. These papers will form the basis of a forthcoming PDG publication.

African Development Bank officially seeks PDG membership

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has expressed interest in joining the Partnership for Democratic Governance. This would bring membership in the PDG to 14 countries and organisations. In addition, AfDB, jointly with the OECD and UNDP, will host the 1st PDG International Conference which will focus on Contracting Out Core Government Functions and Services in Fragile, Post-Conflict and Developing Countries, tentatively scheduled for early June 2009 in Tunisia.

PDG meets with donors and new government in Haiti

In late October, the PDG Advisory Unit was in Haiti on a joint mission with the Inter-American Development Bank. The PDG attended meetings with Prime Minister Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis and other ministers and newly appointed government officials, along with a number of donor agencies and NGOs, in order to further the PDG country mapping process and to undertake an initial investigation of possible PDG pilot projects. Click here for more information (in French).

Advisory Unit holds meetings in Georgia

The PDG Advisory Unit was in Georgia late November in order to conduct a fact-finding mission and meet with key players in the country. In Tbilisi, the PDG met with officials in the Prime Minister's office and various ministries including those of Education, Finance and Justice, as well as the Chamber of Control and the National Bank of Georgia. Meetings were also held with the UNDP Resident Representative and senior officials from the Embassies of Poland, Turkey and the United States. A significant outcome of the mission is the 2 December 2008 receipt of an official Expression of Interest for PDG support from the Georgian Ministry of Finance. According to the proposal, the PDG would help identify a team of experts to support Georgia's efforts to enhance donor co-ordination and aid efficiency.

PDG returns to Timor-Leste, continues consultations

The PDG continues to investigate collaborative solutions in Timor-Leste through consultations with donors and government officials. The PDG also held meetings in two local districts in order to collect lessons regarding democratic governance concerns. These consultations have resulted in a proposal for a multi-donor project to develop a number of "Knua Buka Hapene" (Tetum for Places where people come to find out things) to support the provision of information services to citizens.

Synergies explored in Liberia and Sierra Leone

Following a project proposal submitted by the Ministry of Education, the Advisory Unit has conducted further meetings in Liberia in order to explore what type of intervention is appropriate. The PDG also held consultations with government officials and donors. While in Monrovia, the PDG has also explored other areas of possible intervention. A follow-up mission is planned for early 2009. The PDG Advisory Unit was also involved in consultations in Freetown in order to ascertain possible points of entry for the PDG in the public sector reform arena. The knowledge-gathering mission to Sierra Leone was also meant to help determine which partnerships might be established with other international donors in-country

Upcoming Advisory Unit activities

In January and February 2009, plans include follow-up missions in Liberia and Haiti as well as a fact-finding mission to Guatemala, as well as in-country consultations with the government of Australia in order to strengthen co-operation with the PDG.