Aid donors meet in Paris to agree historic standards for aid

Major aid donors, partner countries and CSOs meet this week to agree on a set of standards for publishing aid information at the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) Steering Committee in Paris on 7 July 2010.

The International Aid Transparency Initiative, launched in Accra in September 2008, seeks to increase the transparency of aid information in order to improve the effectiveness of aid in reducing poverty.

Agreement on the IATI standard has the potential to transform the way that aid is delivered, increasing the accountability of aid to those who give and those who receive it. This in turn will increase the impact of aid in reducing poverty and meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

Establishing common criteria for how aid information is published will enable receivers of aid, at both a governmental and community level, to plan, manage and account for the aid they receive effectively. Greater transparency will also help donor agencies to promote greater accountability to their own taxpayers, and to ensure that the aid they fund represents good value for money.

The first phase of IATI, which will be discussed at this week’s meeting, should deliver:

• More timely data, published on a monthly basis – a top ask of stakeholders in developing countries;
• Publication of that data in a common, open format, so that it is readily accessible, comparable and easy to find;
• Publication of more detailed aid data, increasing its relevance to users.

This is a positive start, and one we welcome. The next phase of IATI must deliver on the priority needs for stakeholders in developing countries, and ensure:

• That information to be published is compatible with national budgets;
• Publication of information on future aid flows;
• Publication of the conditions attached to aid agreements.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the major players in aid to commit to making a real difference in the fight against poverty. Transparency in aid is vital in ensuring that those giving and receiving aid money, from donor governments and southern countries, all the way to those communities directly benefited by aid projects, can ensure that aid money is used effectively and efficiently, with increased accountability for tax payers and beneficiaries of aid.

Let’s hope that this stage of the process is fruitful, and that those involved are prepared to make real and meaningful commitments to IATI.