South Sudan partners set up body to coordinate development projects
April 23, 2009 (JUBA) – Southern Sudan development partners have decided to form a platform to be known as Inter Donor Coordination Forum (IDCF) to improve aid efficiency and effectiveness in Southern Sudan.
The Forum will be co-chaired by the Manager of the World Bank Office in Juba and the UN Resident Coordinator in Juba. Its membership is voluntary and open to any bilateral or multilateral partner that provides development assistance to Southern Sudan with a presence in Juba.
The objective of the IDCF is to align donor actions with the priorities of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), encourage high level dialogue between donors and GoSS on key policy issues and to define the division of labor among donors and between donors and GoSS.
The Forum will also play an active role in the Budget Sector Working Group which is the main arena for donor participation in GoSS planning and prioritization at the sector level.
The IDCF will meet on a monthly basis or in special sessions as situations may require. During these meetings members will update themselves on economic and political development in the region. But each meeting will have a key policy issue on which members will share their perspectives and forge a common ground.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Forum, the Manager of the World Bank Southern Sudan Program, Mr. Laurence Clarke, who co-chaired the meeting said the transparent manner in which the Forum was conceived and set up would make it easier for GoSS to own and lead development programs supported by development partners.
The UN Deputy Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ms. Lise Grande, who co-chaired the meeting with the World Bank Manager, emphasized that the formation of the IDCF would streamline the interventions of the development partners by eliminating duplication of roles.
(ST)