PRESS STATEMENT 22/10
25th March 2010

The Cairns Compact Peer Review process will benefit Nauru by focusing attention on the country’s planning functions and the associated budget processes.

Nauru’s Secretary of Finance, Tim Drown, who is also responsible for Planning says: “Nauru currently has very positive relations with the donor community and the current Nauru Government has a clear and articulated vision stipulated in the National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS).The benefit to Nauru of this Peer Review process is that it focuses direct attention on the country’s planning framework and associated budget process and this strengthens and reinforces our commitment to improving our planning framework.”

Mr Drown, who has met with the Peer Review Panel which started its work in Nauru on 23rd March said: “There is a lot to be learnt from talking to our peers in the other countries in the region who are members of the Panel. There is a lot to be gained in such gatherings where information is exchanged both formally and informally. We are able to compare among ourselves what we have done, what worked, what didn’t and then move forward with an improved awareness of the issues and options we could consider using in Nauru.”

Mr Drown explained that the current performance reporting requirements to each aid donor are time consuming and require resources that are beyond a country such as Nauru.

“One thing I support is the use by donors of the recipient countrie’s own internal performance monitoring systems and processes. The current system promotes accountability to the donors – it should promote accountability to the Government of the recipient country first and foremost. I think the donor community have to ask themselves whether current systems ultimately foster a greater focus on performance monitoring and management by countries like Nauru or not.”

Mr Drown urges the donor community to embrace the outcomes and recommendations of the Peer Review Process.

“Development assistance is a two way street – and countries like Nauru need the donor community to work collaboratively with each other, as well as with the Pacific Island Countries. I am sure the peer review process will illuminate as many issues for the donors as it will for the recipient countries.”

The Peer Review Panel, which will be in Nauru until Friday, is meeting with representatives of government, development partners, NGOs and the community.

The Panel is made up of representatives from the Cook Islands, Tonga and the UNDP. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is coordinating the Peer Review.

(Ends)

For media enquiries contact Mr Johnson Honimae, the Forum Secretariat Media Officer on email johnsonh@forumsec.org.fj or johnson.honimae@gmail.com