2014 - Year in Review - Looking Ahead to 2015 As 2014 draws to a close, I would like to thank you all for your dedication and joint efforts in the implementation of the Somali Compact. On 19-20 November, we came together at the first ministerial-level meeting of the High Level Partnership Forum in Copenhagen. Attended by 56 delegations, the conference reviewed progress made since the Brussels conference in 2013 and set out challenges ahead in 2015. The conference also endorsed the 2014 Compact progress report authored by the FGS with input from international partners. As outlined in the progress report, together we achieved significant progress over the year despite continuing challenges, Some highlights for 2014 include: Coordination: In 2014, much effort has been devoted to the operationalization of the Somalia Development and Reconstruction Facility (SDRF). The governing bodies, including the High Level Partnership Forum (HLPF), the SDRF Steering Committee and the Working Groups and sub-Working Groups for each of the Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Goals (PSGs) have been established and are functioning, bringing together relevant Somali stakeholders and international partners. Two multi-partner trust funds administered by the UN and the World Bank have been established to support the implementation of the Compact and partners have agreed initial funding priorities. The Aid Coordination Unit (ACU), which has been established within the Ministry of Finance, has supported all these processes throughout the year. The unit is now almost fully staffed as of the last quarter of 2014 owning to the generous support of our international partners. Consultation and participation: The ACU has also worked on strengthening the awareness on the New Deal and the Somali Compact among all Somali stakeholders. In September, we, with the support of relevant line ministries, organised a three day national stakeholder meeting, bringing together around 180 participants from across Somalia, to discuss progress, challenges and way forward in the implementation of the Compact. Another area of focus by the Federal Government has been to strengthen the engagement of sub-federal units in the implementation of the Compact. Recent meetings of the HLPF and the SDRF-SC counted with the participation of representatives from Puntland, IJA, Benadir and Galmudug despite logistical difficulties. These entities have now dedicated focal points per PSG. Another significant achievement has been the inclusion of specific priorities of federal states and IRAs in all the PSG discussions, workshops inside and outside Mogadishu. Further work is required in ensuring the integration of priorities of other sub-federal entities within the Compact, which will be one of the focus areas of work for 2015. Aid mapping: This year, the ACU with the support of the World Bank conducted an aid mapping exercise of current and planned aid flows in Somalia. Thirty-five bilateral and multilateral agencies and funds reported indicative aid flows, providing a picture of how aid supports implementation of the Somali Compact. Through this exercise, international partners have provided an unprecedented level of visibility on their levels of aid and their forward spending projections to the Federal Government of Somalia. Much has been achieved, but much remains to be done. The achievements would not have been possible without the support of our international partners. The HLPF in Copenhagen emphasizes the urgent need to scale up deliver in 2015 and adhere to the mutual commitments established under the New Deal framework. Work needs to continue to ensure the inclusiveness of the process and its architecture and ensure that prioritized needs at the local levels are adequately reflected. Regular dialogue and sharing of information across all of Somalia needs to continue and be strengthened in 2015. The SDRF governing bodies need to continue to meet regularly and agreed actions need to be followed-up swiftly The ACU, in its function as the secretariat of both HLPF and SDRF Steering Committee, will continue to coordinate the efforts by the Federal Government to implement the Compact and counts on the continuous support, cooperation and commitment by all partners in doing so. I hope that with your continued efforts, 2015 brings hope, peace and prosperity to the people of Somalia. With my best wishes; Ahmed Ainte
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 22:24:38 +0000
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