Samoa has made progress on harmonization due to the Government’s strong sense of ownership in the process. There are two national committees – one for donor coordination and the other for coordinating national development planning. Between them, donor assistance is integrated into a broad national development framework.
Australia (AusAID) is the lead donor in the country. Other donors are the Asian Development Bank (AsDB), European Commission (EC), New Zealand (NZAID), World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank (WB). AusAID holds high level consultative meetings with NZAID to support partner government efforts to (i) streamline practices, and (ii) prioritize development issues and take the lead in directing donor funds. In December 2003, officials from NZAID and AusAID discussed with government officials, harmonization of their strategy for Samoa with the Strategy for Development of Samoa (2005 – 2007).
On April 4, 2001, AusAid, WB, WHO and the Government of Samoa, signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which establishes the basis for collaboration on health in Samoa. The MOU also provides a framework for collaboration and cooperation with other donors in the sector.
In the education sector, there are plans to harmonize the scholarship schemes of Australia and New Zealand with Samoa’s scholarship scheme beginning in July 2004.
EC assistance focuses on the water supply sector and is enhanced by Australia’s capacity building project with the Samoa Water Authority.
AsDB and the WB are preparing a joint Country Procurement Assessment Review (CPAR).
Procurement is a likely area for harmonization. WB is serving as coordinator of the procurement program in the harmonization agenda.
Samoa was represented at the Pacific Regional Workshop on Donor Harmonization which was held in Nadi, Fiji for two days beginning on October 30, 2003. The workshop was organized by the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat. It included practical sessions on procurement, financial management, analytical work and Sector Wide Approaches (SWAps) with resource persons from the WB, AusAID and donor representatives. The Annual Pacific Island Countries – Partners’ Meeting was held in New Zealand in June 2004.
Samoa was represented at the AsDB and the Government of Japan sponsored East and South Asia, and the Pacific Regional Workshop on Harmonization and Alignment for Development Effectiveness and Managing for Results which was hosted by the Government of Thailand in Bangkok on October 19-20, 2004. The workshop prepared participants for the Second High-Level Forum (HLF-2) on Harmonization and Alignment in Paris, Feb. 28 - March 2, 2005.
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