For external use 10 November 2008
2008 Aid-for-Trade Roadmap ANNOTATED UPDATE1 10 NOVEMBER 2008
Objectives: Increase developing country ownership of Aid for Trade. Shift emphasis to monitoring implementation - with a focus on country, regional and sectoral priorities. Launch work programme to develop performance indicators and to strengthen self evaluations.
Strategy: Global Monitoring Assess results of the first year of monitoring. o OECD have contracted external consultants to develop guidelines and terms of reference for evaluating AfT development projects and programmes. Update donor and (especially) partner-country questionnaires. o OECD in process of revising donor and partner-country questionnaires. Donor questionnaire: Finalized and will be sent to donors at the end of December. Deadline for completion and submission of responses is midFebruary. Partner-country questionnaire: Revised draft discussed at informal meeting of Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) of 13 October. Final version now being prepared. Informal dedicated CTD sessions will be held on 6 November to provide developing countries and LDCs with more detailed information regarding completion of the questionnaire and the way forward. The final version will be sent informally to delegations by mid-November to allow for study and reflection in advance of receiving it officially at the end of December. The deadline for completion and submission of responses is mid-February 2009. Explore ways of increasing partner-country involvement (including by streamlining surveys and improving incentives). o Assistance from WTO Secretariat divisions, AfT Advisory Group members, and the Enhanced Integrated Framework Secretariat will be sought to help developing countries complete the partner-country questionnaire. Examine how TPRs could be further adapted to Aid-for-Trade monitoring, building on existing work. o Considerable material available already from TPRs, is being analysed in WTO. WTO Trade Policy Review Division is ensuring that information on AfT is included in future TPRs. Identify a cluster of indicators to benchmark progress in building trade capacity. o Discussion by Members on the results of the Symposium on Monitoring and the identification of core indicators took place at a formal CTD meeting on 17 October.
1
Bulleted text in italics indicates work in progress.
-2Delegations felt the three-tier monitoring structure outlined in the Secretariat background note (WT/COMTD/AFT/W/9) to be acceptable and appropriate. More time will be given to delegations for reflection on the definition, identification and selection of "micro" and "macro" indicators. Informal CTD meetings will be scheduled, as necessary, to allow for further discussion. Hold an Expert Symposium on Evaluation o A "Symposium on Monitoring and Evaluation – Identifying Indicators for Monitoring Aid for Trade" was held on 15-16 September 2008. The object was to select and agree on a toolbox of indicators in line with the WTO mandate for AfT that could be used in the context of the 2009 AfT Global Review. Representatives from donors, partner countries, sub-regional organizations, RDBs and civil society gave their insights on suitable indicators for monitoring AfT. The agenda was structured around three themes – global flows, monitoring at the country and sub-regional level, and indicators of competitiveness, capacity and performance. o A Secretariat background note on the results of the Symposium was issued in (WT/COMTD/AFT/W/9). See above on cluster of indicators. o Additional information on the Symposium can be found on the WTO AfT website (http://www.wto.org/). Work with the OECD to implement an Aid-for-Trade "knowledge network" – i.e., using information technologies to establish contact points, highlight activities, share best practices, etc. o OECD presented the results of a knowledge network feasibility study at OECD/DAC meeting in September. Consultancy findings are that there is a need for an AfT knowledge network. OECD is working directly with international organizations that have expressed an interest in hosting such a network..
National and Sub-regional Reviews Take the initiative to the "next level" by holding a series of selected National and SubRegional Aid-for-Trade Reviews in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia and the Pacific. These Reviews would be focused, technical, and results-oriented, with the aim of assisting in advancing – and then monitoring – the implementation of concrete national and sub-regional strategies. The broad objective would be to showcase how Aid-for-Trade strategies can progress – and are progressing – and to create incentives for others to follow suit. Work with countries, donors, regional banks, and other key stakeholders to identify ready and eligible "first generation" Review candidates (e.g., having an Aid-for-Trade plan, coordinating structure, completed needs assessments, identified priorities, etc.). o A meeting between RDBs (AfDB/AsDB/IaDB), other AfT Advisory Group members, and donors was held on 17 September. All stakeholder welcomed the opportunity to have a further discussion on how to improve communication and how RDBs could involve donors in planning AfT networks and events. Donors feel that meetings of this nature are useful and should continue. Convene national and sub-regional reviews – co-hosted by the participating national government and/or REC together with the Regional Aid-for-Trade Support Network (as recommended by the regional reviews) – with the aim of: o assessing and improving national/regional plans (and coordinating structures) o identifying binding constraints and key priorities o agreeing on the roadmap for implementation (including timetables, institutional mandates, and financial requirements).
-3-
o Reviews will be held in early 2009 Inter-American Development Bank o IaDB intends to build a coalition of interest around a country that has a strategy. The objective is to translate the plan of action into specific projects. Some cases exist already – roads, energy, regulatory frameworks – but there are still gaps which AfT can fill. AfT could contribute to regional projects through the provision of "software" infrastructure (e.g., connecting agreements, trade facilitation, standards). o IaDB have very clear plans – featuring the Caribbean – and are making good progress. o The reviews will showcase how national action plans and strategies can be prepared in countries at different levels of development and will focus on thematic areas (institutional change, private sector development, and trade-related infrastructure) to demonstrate a methodology that other countries in the region can follow. o Caribbean AfT Conference: A preparatory meeting with high-level Caribbean officials will take place in December to discuss plans for the regional Caribbean event which will be held in Barbados in early 2009. o National events for Honduras (donors involved are Spain, Netherlands, and the EU) and for Peru (donors involved are Canada and the US) will precede, and then be featured at, the Caribbean AfT Conference. o A regional STDF review of SPS AfT needs/plans for Central America was held in Guatemala on 11-12 June 2008. The review contributed to the STDF process of synthesizing the results of existing SPS capacity evaluations, developing an inventory of technical assistance and identifying "gaps" still not being addressed. Asian Development Bank o AfDB are fully engaged in the AfT initiative and have reaffirmed their commitment to work together with key actors – donors, RECs, and the private sector – to come up with bankable projects. AfDB will work closely with international partners to carry out their plans. o AsDB will convene a first meeting of stakeholders (Regional Technical Group(RTG)) in Manila in early 2009 to support the AfT initiative and provide a practical and pragmatic framework for sub-regions and countries to operationalize AfT. A 2nd RTG meeting is expected to be held well before the 2009 Global Review. o A regional STDF review of SPS AfT needs/plans for the Greater Mekong Delta Subregion was held in Cambodia on 20-21 May 2008. The review contributed to the STDF process of synthesizing the results of existing SPS capacity evaluations, developing an inventory of technical assistance and identifying "gaps" still not being addressed. o AsDB increased lending last year from USD6-7 billion to approximately USD11 billion, most of which could be considered AfT. African Development Bank o The AfDB in conjunction with UNECA and the WTO are working on the following priorities: Identification of bankable regional and national projects in the priority areas of infrastructure, trade facilitation and standards (SPS) related issues; Coordination with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and individual countries to agree on which among the identified bankable projects are ready for support, including their implementation time frame; Establishment of an African AFT network, comprising AfDB, ECA, WTO, major donors, representatives of beneficiary governments and RECs; Contribution to the review of, and development of monitoring and evaluation indicators for the implementation and effectiveness of the AFT. o COMESA-EAC-SADC North-South Corridor project. A Ministerial conference will be held in April 2009. The event will have a one-day AfT component organized by the AfDB, UNECA, and the WTO
-4o A national AfT event, with the support of donors (Finland and DFID) is planned to be held directly after the COMESA-EAC-SADC conference. o A regional STDF review of SPS AfT needs/plans for East Africa was held in Uganda on 28-29 May 2008. The review contributed to the STDF process of synthesizing the results of existing SPS capacity evaluations, developing an inventory of technical assistance and identifying "gaps" still not being addressed. Islamic Development Bank o ITFC (Member of Islamic Development Bank Group) is considering planning an event – probably in January 2009 – in cooperation with ESCWA for the ESCWA member countries, either at ESCWA headquarters in Beirut or in another ESCWA member country. o o UNECE is considering carrying out AfT activities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including activities with the IsDB. UNDP is engaging in AfT agenda to develop projects and mobilise resources. Comprehensive needs assessment, action matrix and inventory of trade-related activities was developed by them in Mongolia. A key part of UNDP's contribution to the implementation of the AfT initiative is directed at assessing and improving national and regional plans for trade capacity development. UNDP is currently undertaking or supporting AfT-related activities in Central Asia (including Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and in the future Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan), Southern Africa (for SACU countries), the Pacific Region, and in Latin America (initial steps underway for launching a needs assessment exercise in Paraguay). UNDP is also actively involved in discussions and events relating to global monitoring and a possible AfT knowledge network. They contributed to the Expert Symposium on Monitoring and are preparing their own self-assessment in relation to the 2009 Global Review UNIDO is keen to increase its participation in the AfT/EIF process and is developing pilot technical assistance (TA) projects covering supply-side and conformity infrastructure development in line with AfT/EIF requirements. As a first phase UNIDO have identified eight LDCs (Benin, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, and Yemen) as meeting the necessary criteria2 for analysis. Draft proposals for programmes for these countries were presented and validated at a meeting in Kigali at the beginning of September and will be tabled for approval and funding at the High-Level LDC Ministerial Conference to be held in Cambodia on 19-20 November. UNIDO have coordinated the establishment and publication of the first edition (2008) of the UN agency Trade Capacity Building Inter-Agency Resource Guide. A 2009 edition, with more participating agencies and with updated service descriptions, is foreseen as a further contribution to the AfT initiative.
o
o
Use OECD/WTO self-assessments as "living documents" to develop actionable plans, monitor progress, and encourage mutual accountability. Report on progress to periodic meetings of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD). o An informal CTD meeting was held on 13 October to allow for an exchange of views on the revised draft Aid-for-Trade partner-country questionnaire. Informal dedicated CTD sessions will take place on 6 November to provide developing countries and LDCs with more detailed information regarding the completion of the questionnaire and the way forward.
Geographical balance; involvement with the EIF process; documentation available; potential for UNIDO engagement; and potential for donor involvement.
2
-5A formal CTD meeting was held on 17 October to discuss the identification of core indicators to monitor progress and impact of the Aid-for-Trade (AfT) work programme. See under appropriate bullets above. Profile results at the next Global Review – to monitor progress and encourage "peer" review and incentives. o 2nd Global Review of Aid-for-Trade by WTO General Council to be held in Geneva in late June 2009. o
Regional Aid for Trade Networks Encourage early establishment of Regional Aid-for-Trade Networks – comprised of key stakeholders (RDBs, OECD, World Bank, UN economic commissions, WTO, lead donors, etc.) – as recommended by last year's regional reviews, to assist countries and sub-regions in identifying priorities, drawing up plans and mobilizing resources. o AsDB: First meeting of Regional Technical Group comprising key stakeholders will take place in early 2009 to support the AfT initiative and provide a practical and pragmatic framework for sub-regions and countries to operationalize AfT. o AfDB: Africa AfT Network to be established and to operate on two tiers, one at global level, comprising the African Union, NEPAD Secretariat, RECs, African ministries of finance and trade [and, possibly, industry], AfDB, UNECA, WTO, representatives of the private sector, and major donors) and one at sub-regional level, comprising the four regions in Africa, i.e. West Africa, East and Southern Africa, and Central Africa and North Africa. A first step in setting up the Network will be to create a database of contacts based on the list of attendance from the first Africa AfT Regional Review held Dar es Salaam in September 2007.
Global Review Hold next Global Review in Spring/Summer 2009 to provide political guidance, momentum and the "big picture" on implementation and evaluation. o 2nd Global Review of Aid-for-Trade by WTO General Council to be held in Geneva in late June 2009.
Committee for Trade and Development Consult the CTD in the development and implementation of the 2008 roadmap. Report regularly on progress and results. o An informal CTD meeting was held on 13 October to allow for an exchange of views on the revised draft Aid-for-Trade partner-country questionnaire. Informal dedicated CTD sessions will take place on 6 November to provide developing countries and LDCs with more detailed information regarding the completion of the questionnaire and the way forward. o A formal CTD meeting was held on 17 October to discuss the identification of core indicators to monitor progress and impact of the Aid-for-Trade (AfT) work programme. See under appropriate bullets above.