On 11-12 May, the 19th Global Partnership Steering Committee took place virtually, bringing together 55 participants representing 23 committee members. At the meeting, the Steering Committee adopted and launched the 2020-2022 Global Partnership Work Programme, ahead of the next High-Level Meeting (HLM; currently planned for 2022), and Co-chairs released their statement on effectiveness in the context of COVID-19 (available here).
The central theme was the role of effective partnerships in the midst of COVID-19. The Co-chairs underscored that effective development cooperation remains a critical enabler as the international community ‘builds back better together’. In this context, the 2020-2022 Work Programme aims to pave the way for how we work in partnership to get back on track to achieve the SDGs.
Members noted that the success of the 2020-2022 Work Programme will depend on the ability to bring practical benefits to partner countries, with members coordinating and consolidating activities across Action Areas, and concerted efforts to build momentum for the next HLM.
Members also endorsed the Co-chairs’ proposal for the reform of the Global Partnership monitoring exercise, including the strategic level of ambition for the reform and the approach to manage the ‘period of transition’ until the HLM. What the Global Partnership monitoring exercise will measure, and how it will be done, will form a new monitoring offer for endorsement at the HLM. Members reiterated the value of monitoring effectiveness commitments as the flagship of the Global Partnership. The monitoring reform, underpinned by a transparent and inclusive process, aims to rebuild political momentum around effectiveness, contribute to an improved understanding of core elements of the effectiveness agenda, ensure its relevance and usefulness to countries and stakeholders.
The Steering Committee re-iterated the need to continue to drive a multi-stakeholder approach, creating policy space for all actors to engage and contribute. This should include a coherent strategy for advocacy for the effectiveness principles, as a basis for how we work in partnership for sustainable development, and for promoting the new work programme itself.
Meetings documents are available here, and a summary report is available here.