Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Foreign aid resources must complement: Finance Minister

Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada stressed that foreign aid resources must complement, rather than crowd out, domestic resources mobilisation.
Inaugurating the annual meeting of the International Aid Transparency Initiative’s (IATI) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in the Valley today, he said that the ultimate objective of any aid programme should be to build domestic resource capacity so that recipient countries such as Nepal can reduce, rather than prolong, their dependency on aid.
He also spoke about the importance of improving the transparency of aid resources, noting that transparency was the basis for accountability, which in turn ensures that development cooperation resources are better managed for results. "Development cooperation must support efforts to avoid conflict, protect harmonious social fabric, build peace, and improve global governance," he added.
The minister also recalled the aid effectiveness principles set out in the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action, suggesting that initiatives like IATI have an important role to play in monitoring the implementation of such principles.
With reference to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he reminded to consider whether there should be a specific indicator in SDG 17 focusing on ensuring aid transparency.
While appreciating the role of global aid transparency initiatives such as IATI, Khatiwada also recognised the enabling role that partner countries like Nepal must play, including in the design of credible programs, strategies and policies which allow for cooperation resources to produce intended results. "In order for data to be put to good use, there must be robust systems in place at country level, including for planning, monitoring and public financial management," he said.
More than 150 representatives of the governments from different countries, development partners, civil society organisation and the media are participating in the three-day meeting, according to Finance Ministry. The meeting has been conducted for the first time in Asia in the history of the organisation. Started in 2008, IATI is a global, multi-stakeholder initiative that seeks to improve the transparency of development and humanitarian resources for addressing poverty and crisis. The technical advisory group is an expert community that informs IATI’s approach to data publication and use.
Khatiwada also expressed his appreciation to the organisers for choosing Nepal as venue to hold this important meeting.

No comments: