Azernews.Az

BAKU – The World Bank stresses achievement of positive results within implementation of strategy and plan on increasing efficiency of governance and anticorruption, approved in 2007.

A special report was prepared in this sphere to analyze the work done within a plan of measures to strengthen the WB engagement. The report is posted on the WB official website.

"Progress in supporting public financial management reforms was uneven. Standardization of assessments and operational support for public financial management systems improved, but front-line service delivery concerns were not adequately prioritized. Greater engagement with citizens and better coordination with sector initiatives enhanced the credibility of reforms in some cases (Azerbaijan and Moldova)," the report says.

Bank support focused primarily on supreme audit institutions and anticorruption bodies (Azerbaijan). Achievement of objectives was heavily dependent on the independence and political composition of legislatures.

In Azerbaijan, for instance, the Bank successfully supported the establishment of the State Oil Fund, compliance with EITI, and budget transparency measures.

Between November 2006 and January 2007, the World Bank Group conducted a global multi-stakeholder consultation process on its strategy paper Strengthening World Bank Group Engagement on Governance and Anticorruption.

More than 3,200 representatives from governments, civil society, donor agencies, parliaments, and the private sector participated in the consultations. Feedback was also sought on the Implementation Plan for Strengthening World Bank Group Engagement on Governance and Anticorruption during August and September 2007 and was reviewed by the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors in October 2007.