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Views shared by Central American governments

Central American governments have drafted a paper in which they spell out what they expect of donor countries. Too often, they argue, donors set priorities arbitrarily. The Central American leaders suggest donors should rely on objective criteria such as the Human Development Index. The document states that cooperation with donors must improve and was signed by the governments of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic. It was published ahead of November’s mutlilateral High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, South Korea.

31.10.2011

The paper emphasises the progress made in the fight on poverty. It praises Central American governments for drafting poverty reduction strategies according to the principle of national ownership and setting up the agencies needed for implementation.

It is up to donors, the authors argue, to align their assistance. South-South Cooperation is also mentioned favourably, as it complements conventional development aid.

The paper admits that Central America’s national governments should do more to improve cooperation with civil society and municipal authorities. It also points out challenges like climate change, the global financial crisis or international drug-related crime, stating that the region did not cause them, but has to deal with them. (vd)