PARIS AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

This focus on aid delivery modalities, appropriate mix of aid instruments, harmonisation of donor procedures, adoption of joint approaches, and alignment with partner country financial management systems is an essential contribution to making aid more effective.

However, the five overarching principles of the Paris Declaration (ownership, alignment, harmonisation, managing for development results and mutual accountability) have implications which extend beyond aid delivery per se. They are major reference points for guiding policy dialogue and shaping development cooperation programmes in all sectors and in cross-cutting issues. Donor efforts to improving the effectiveness of aid delivery would not therefore be sufficient in themselves to make a real impact on development effectiveness. There needs to be due attention to substantive policy areas and to cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, environmental sustainability and human rights.

Contact: Henning Nøhr