OEA/Ser.T/VII
GETC/FORMOEA-33/98
29 September 1998
Original: Spanish

SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS FOR NEW COOPERATION STRATEGIES.
SUGGESTED WORKING METHODOLOGY TO CONCLUDE DISCUSSION OF THE TOPIC

I. BACKGROUND

With this document the Chair of the Special Joint Working Group of the Permanent Council and CIDI (GETC) replies to the request for a summary of the proposals put forward by the delegations regarding new cooperation strategies and suggests a working methodology in order to conclude discussion of this topic.

II. WORKING METHODOLOGY SUGGESTED BY THE CHAIR

The Chair proposes that in its plenary session on Wednesday, September 30, 1998, the Group begin its consideration of the proposals made by the delegations and mentioned in this document, so that in that meeting–and in subsequent meetings–a decision may be taken on whether to adopt them or to opt for a more extensive study thereof after the next special session of the General Assembly. These proposals should be included in the report that this Group is to present to the councils before that special session.

The Chair reiterates its suggestion that the Group make these decisions obviating, wherever possible, a review and detailed discussion of items related to statutes and regulations. In that regard, the Group should ask the General Secretariat’s legal department to provide a draft version of the rules that might have to be amended to reflect the Group’s decisions.

The member states have made progress in defining the legal and institutional structure of CIDI with a view to promoting partnership for development in the Hemisphere. The proposed adjustments and changes should take advantage of that experience and thereby correct any shortcomings that have been noted.

The structure of the proposed exercise reflects both resolution AG/RES. 1603 (XXVIII-O/98) and the Group’s work schedule

III. PROPOSALS RECEIVED

With regard to the item on the study of new strategies for cooperation, we have received written proposals from the delegations of Venezuela, the United States, Saint Lucia (also on behalf of the members of CARICOM), Mexico, Canada, and Brazil. We have also taken into account the General Secretariat’s considerations.

Programming Aspects

1. That the regular meetings of CIDI focus exclusively on political issues, within the sphere of inter-American cooperation (Clearly separate the functions relating to the discussion of development policies from those inherent in partnership for development).

2. That the goal of partnership for development be joint support for efforts by the member states to achieve integral and sustainable development, in particular by helping to reduce extreme poverty and by strengthening the promotion and consolidation of democracies.

3. That there be consistency between inter-American programs and Summit mandates.

4. That partnership for development focus its attention on the less developed countries, without necessarily restricting project eligibility solely to this group of countries.

5. Taking into account the Strategic Plan and the inter-American programs, that spheres of activity be identified more precisely.

6. That SEDI program its activities in accordance with the program guidelines established by CIDI and the budgetary decisions taken by CEPCIDI.

7. That priority be given to human resource training over programs that may not have continuity.

8. That strategies be developed for mobilizing additional financial resources for cooperation.

9. That horizontal cooperation be expanded among member states.

10. That fellowships awarded by the OAS be explicitly directed toward the policy and priority guidelines defined within CIDI.

11. That technical cooperation activities be consolidated under an administrative area with clearly established spheres of authority (including FEMCIDI, the Regular Fund, activities of the units, Fellowships, etc.)

12. That project management be the responsibility of SEDI. That the specialized entities of the General Secretariat provide technical advice to SEDI and, only if expressly directed by SEDI, that they be responsible for managing specific projects.

13. That SEDI come under the Office of the Assistant Secretary General.

14. That SEDI be reorganized into four divisions: Support for Political Bodies, Cooperation for Development, Financial Affairs, and Mobilization of External Resources.

15. That the General Secretariat entrust CEPCIDI with establishing mechanisms for SEDI to coordinate OAS cooperation activities.

16. That the technical functions of CEPCIDI be transferred to SEDI.

17. That SEDI be restructured and reinforced.

18. That in the area of project management SEDI be linked and report to CEPCIDI and not CIDI.

19. That SEDI coordinate the OAS national offices and the fellowship area.

20. That SEDI give a role to the directors of the national offices in the preparation and holding of regional programming meetings and programming missions to the member states.

21. That SEDI administer the funds from voluntary contributions.

22. That the national offices be incorporated into the cooperation system.

23. That priority be attached to association with other regional institutions and nongovernmental bodies.

24. That the permanent observers be more involved in drawing up programs, to a degree that does not conflict with the natural and exclusive jurisdiction enjoyed by member states.

25. That the nonpermanent specialized committees (CENPES) participate in the selection of fellowship recipients (a suggestion put forward in the proposed new regulations governing fellowships).

26. That member states be represented on CIDI by their cooperation agencies and by their most senior authorities in this field.

27. That the regular meetings of CIDI coincide with the regular sessions of the General Assembly.

28. That technical meetings and consultations with national cooperation agencies and institutions be held in preparation for regular meetings of CIDI.

29. That efforts be made to set up information networks.

Financial and Administrative Aspects

30. That better accounting methods be used, separating off management of funds earmarked for cooperation.

31. That the possibility of setting up a trust fund run by the IDB or another institution be reviewed.

32. That a special aid fund be established, on the basis of voluntary contributions, to prepare cooperation projects and activities for countries with relatively less developed economies.

33. That resources be allotted to support fund-collection activities.

34. That more diversified funding be sought for FEMCIDI.

35. That the interest earned on accounts be channeled to cooperation activities.

36. That the CENPES streamline their operations, simplifying procedures and cutting the costs of their meetings.

37. That the Secretariat implement better and simpler management control and evaluation systems.

38. That the Secretariat set up a system to report on results obtained.

39. That every encouragement be given to educational and training activities for human resources in the Organization.

40. That until alternative sources of funding are found the fellowship program should continue to be financed out of the Regular Fund.