2009 “Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness” Report

Summary of OECD Council discussion
12 March 2009

1.  The OECD Council discussed the joint UNECA/OECD 2009 “Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness” Report on 12 March at its headquarters in Paris.  The Report was introduced by David Batt (APF SU) and Professor Okey Onyejekwe (UNECA), who led the work carried out by special joint UNECA/OECD task teams to produce the Report. 

2. Council members warmly welcomed the Report as an important contribution to mutual accountability and to international dialogue and understanding regarding Africa’s development:

(i)  Ambassadors considered the close working partnership established between UNECA and OECD in developing the Report as exemplary, and expressed the wish that this collaboration continue;

(ii) There was unanimous agreement that the Report’s conclusions and recommendations were correct and  relevant;

(iii)  There was appreciation both for its comprehensive scope and for its focus on development results;

(iv) The report was also commended for the extremely high standard of presentation;

(v)  Ambassadors noted with satisfaction that the Report will feed into international meetings including G8 and G20 processes, and into African meetings including the next UNECA/AU organised Conference of Finance Ministers;

(vi) They encouraged the UNECA and OECD Secretariats to disseminate the Report to a wide range of audiences and stakeholders, including at global, regional and sub-regional levels; 

(vii) Council looks forward to a future update on views from Africa on the future of the Mutual Review process, and agreed to reflect on future OECD involvement at that time.

3. In his concluding remarks, OECD Secretary-General Mr Gurria referred to his recent meeting with UNECA Executive Secretary-General Mr Janneh, and their agreement that the partnership between UNECA and OECD had been extremely successful, and should be now be extended across the work of the two institutions. Mr Gurria thanked Professor Onyejekwe for having travelled to Paris to make the joint presentation of the MRDE.