South Sudan’s National Ministry of Finance and Planning on Monday conducted the first stakeholders’ validation meeting on the Draft National Aid Policy.
The draft policy reflects the fundamental changes taking place in the International arena which impact Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Speaking on behalf of the finance minister, Benjamin Ayali Koyongwa, the undersecretary for Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Planning said once approved by the council of ministers, the policy will serve as a framework.
“The National Aid Policy will serve as the government’s framework for the management of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and it sets out the principles and vision for the transformation of the aid architecture in the country,” he told participants during his opening remarks, adding, “The Government of the Republic of South Sudan owns the National Aid Policy and will continue to provide leadership which is critical for the effective coordination of government-partners collaboration.”
“I would like to underscore that the aid policy that we are reviewing today aims to strengthen the alignment of government and international cooperation financing with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Ayali added.
According to the undersecretary, it is important for the government to effectively engage widely to diversify funding sources and strengthen partnerships.
According to the finance ministry, the draft National Aid policy will cover the next five years.
“For effectiveness, I am therefore proposing that the National Aid Policy should be implemented in the next five years with provisions for policy revision based on consensus reached between the government, Heads of Cooperation (HoCs), and other stakeholders,” the undersecretary stated.
He further called on the government to effectively implement the Public Financial Management Reforms (PFM) and push for a transition from a humanitarian focus to a more sustainable development focus.
Ayali revealed that the finance ministry intends to organize another validation workshop for the government and partners to provide input and feedback before presenting the policy to the council of ministers for approval.