SCOTLAND-MALAWI JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION OF CO-OPERATION OFFICIAL REVIEW MEETING - 2 AUGUST 2008 - SALIMA, MALAWI
The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. M.B. Mbewe, Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation for the Government of Malawi (GoM) and Dr. Andrew Goudie, Chief Economic Adviser and Director General, Economy for the Scottish Government (SG). The Malawi delegation comprised officials from relevant Ministries and Agencies engaged in the programme. Mr. Mbewe welcomed Dr. Goudie, Ms. Deborah Smith, Deputy Director, International and Ms. Lisa Bird, Head of International Development. He confirmed the GoM's commitment to working with the SG to strengthen the relationship between our two countries and ensure the delivery of an effective development programme. Dr. Goudie spoke of the importance of the government relationship and noted the efforts made by officials in both countries to increase the exchange of information and the need to continue this dialogue throughout the current funding round and beyond.
Ms. Smith outlined recent developments for the SG, including the publication of an International Framework in May 2008, which explains the Government's commitment to working with partners internationally, and within that to work with partners to reduce global poverty, further articulated in the new international development policy. This highlights our work with Malawi as a distinct programme of activity, recognising the uniqueness of this engagement and enabling the development of a more tailored funding process and criteria. Ms. Bird went on to outline the review process which informed the new policy and highlighted the changes in the SG's funding approach which directly reflects discussions at the last formal review meeting in July 2007, in particular to encourage larger programmes, to give stronger emphasis at individual programme level to consultation with the GoM and the need for greater clarity regarding the nature of partnership between the two countries in project design and delivery. She also confirmed the process and timescales for the current funding round and encouraged the continued participation of the GoM in this process.
Reporting on progress by strand of the Co-operation Agreement was led by Malawi, with comments and reflections from Scotland. It was agreed that whilst there is good progress in most areas, greater attention is required to some commitments where progress has been slower to materialise. It was noted that the education and health strands continue to show strong delivery and that the new funding approach with the inclusion of cross-cutting themes will enable stronger and more focused programmes to develop. It was also acknowledged that new programmes have been funded in the sustainable economic development strand and that further programmes in this area should be encouraged. The governance strand was highlighted as an area where many relationships have developed between institutions which would now benefit from clearer timescales for delivery. New work has been funded to strengthen civil society, an area which could be supported further.
These discussions will influence the current funding round and Strand Leads in Malawi will have the opportunity to comment on recommended proposals. All officials will actively encourage strategic programmes and continue to urge organisations to work collaboratively on larger programmes of work to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure that programmes are delivering on the relevant priorities and policies of the GoM, in particular the Malawi Growth & Development Strategy (MGDS). Once the current funding round is complete, officials will work together to identify any remaining gaps within the agreed commitments.
The Scottish Government