We must boost technical assistance to Commonwealth countries – Ransford Smith

More than 50 diplomats and senior civil servants from across the Commonwealth gathered in London today to map out how the Commonwealth Secretariat can best tailor its development assistance to the needs of member countries.

With the help of these officials - ‘primary contact points’ responsible for requesting technical assistance from the Commonwealth – the Secretariat will explore new priorities for the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CTFC), the Secretariat’s arm for delivering some £30 million in assistance each year.

Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith, opening the three-day session at Marlborough House, spoke of the “overwhelming need” to increase the level of expert co-operation between Commonwealth developing member states to help them address the development challenges of the twenty-first century.

Strengthening co-ordination

“Many Commonwealth countries face significant human resources and knowledge restraints which limit their capacity for sustainable development and poverty reduction,” he said.

Mr Smith said he hoped the meeting will “strengthen the co-ordination and communication” between primary contact points, whom he said are “vital links” between the Secretariat and member countries.

Mr Smith added that technical co-operation “must not be viewed as a poor cousin” of direct funding assistance.

“Through your engagement in identifying and communicating your countries’ development priorities the Commonwealth is able to achieve consensus and to provide practical assistance for the benefit of its citizens.”

The meeting, held between 22 and 24 July, follows a recent review of the CTFC, which found that the primary contact point system is still not functioning “optimally” in all member countries.

“I expect to leave here with more clarity”

Using contributions from each of the delegates, Secretariat officials will assess the effectiveness of individual country assistance and identify priorities for the next three years.

The responsibilities of contact points and proposals for refining Technical Co-operation Frameworks, set up to meet the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, will also be discussed.

Yvonne Hyde, chief executive in the Ministry of Economic Development in Belize, one of the primary contact points, said she expected to “better understand” her role and the relationship between points of contact following the meeting.

“We are looking at building capacity in our countries so I expect to leave here with more clarity as to the relevant roles of the PCP [primary contact point],” she said.

Felix Mbayu, director of Commonwealth Affairs at the Ministry of External Relations in Cameroon, responding to Mr Smith, added: “We do appreciate the work done by the Secretariat in quite difficult circumstances with a small budget.”