Country Safeguard Systems Regional Workshop Proceedings: Towards Common Approaches and Better Results (18–19 April 2012)

Abstract

As an integral part of efforts to enhance aid and development effectiveness, there is a growing global emphasis on the need to broaden the vision and mission of development to include (i) country safeguard systems strengthening, (ii) greater reliance on country safeguard systems to address environmental and social issues for projects supported by international financial institutions, and (iii) harmonization of safeguard policies and approaches among development partners. Strengthened country safeguard systems will (i) enhance countries’ ownership, (ii) extend development impacts, (iii) make more efficient use of countries and their development partners’ resources, and (iv) promote cooperation among international financial institutions. This need was fully articulated by consensus in the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, reaffirmed and strengthened in the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action, and reiterated in the 2011 Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.