- The initiative will strengthen capacity of Russian Ministries and agencies in the area of international aid
- A commitment of up to $1.2 mln over three years has been established to support the program
On May 14, 2009 The World Bank Moscow office hosted the first session of the Advisory Council for World Bank - DFID Program "Russia as a Donor Initiative (RDI)". This techncial assitance program will strengthen capacity of Russian Ministries and agencies in the area of international aid. The program will offer the most relevant international experience and best practice of development aid organization, delivery and international coordination.  Klaus Rohland, World Bank
and Andrei Bokarev, MinFin The "Russia as a Donor Initiative" program includes strengthening statistics and reporting of increasing Russian development aid, assistance to Government agencies in organization of aid projects monitoring, efficiency and impact evaluation. The program includes also international partnerships for preparation and delivery of university courses on development aid that are needed for training of future Russian aid practitioners. A separate component of the program will train Russian journalists and Government officials in design of public awareness campaigns and strategic communications in support of global aid efforts. Since 2006 the Russian Government has significantly increased its support of the poorest countries in reduction the poverty levels and improving social well-being of the population. The Russian Government is cooperating with the World Bank in design and implementation of its development aid. The RDI Program will allow Russian authorities to access international good practice in aid management. It will help Russia to harmonize its aid to the fullest extent possible with existing Government priorities, and in ways that are coordinated with existing donor mechanisms.  Tom Kelly, DFID The World Bank has approached DFID for supporting this program of technical assistance. A commitment of up to $1,200,000 over three years has been established to support this work, hereafter named "Russia as a Donor Initiative" (RDI). Advisory Council includes the key Russian Ministries and agencies involved in implementation of recently adopted Concept of Russian international development cooperation, in particular: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rossotrudnichestvo, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Education and Science, Rospotrebnadzor, as well as representatives of the World Bank and DFID. Klaus Rohland, The World Bank Country Director for Russia welcomed the Council meeting. In his address to the Council he underlined the importance of increasing Russia's aid efforts internationally and in the region of Central Asia. He noted the need to highlight the profile of Russia as an emerging donor among established donors, expressed his appreciation of role of DFID saying that "determination to work with Russia is very encouraging". Andrei Bokarev, Deputy Director, Department of International Financial Relations, State Debt and State Financial Assets, Ministry of Finance of RF confirmed Ministry's interest in the work of the Council and noted that "this work will strengthen ministries and agencies activities in developing and managing aid programs and increase effectiveness of Russia aid programs".  Tatiana Leonova
and Andrei Markov, World Bank Andrei Markov, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the program "Building Russia's Capacity as a Donor" presented the Main Development Outcomes, Components and Outputs of the program. The session of the Advisory Council endorsed the overall design of the program, principles of its coordination and discussed the draft action plan for the first year of the program. |
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