Algeria : conference on governance, economic freedom and poverty

Download Memorandum of Understanding (pdf) Websites World Bank Institute : governance website Useful documentation (in French) Conference presentations Documentation on governance

February 2007 - On February 3rd, the World Bank, represented by Theodore Ahlers, Director of the Maghreb department, participated in a conference organised by the National Economic and Social Council (CNES). This important conference addressed the themes of governance, economic freedom and poverty. Approximately 200 people took part in the conference among which were members of the Algerian Government – M. Mourad Medelci, Finance Minister and Dr. Rachid Benaissa, State Minister in charge of Scientific Research – alongside Algerian and foreign experts.

The themes covered during the conference were subject to presentations from M. Daniel Kaufman, Director of the World Bank Institute(WBI-gouvernance), from other experts on governance issues and from CNES experts. 

The main themes that were discussed during the conference represent some of the fundamental preoccupations of the World Bank. Indeed, the World Bank has incorporated in its mission its support to Member States’ ongoing quest to face the challenges which poverty, governance and the strengthening of economic freedom represent.

Regarding the specific subject of governance, the World Bank is dedicated to better tackle the complex linkages that exist between good governance and social and economic development.

 The conference ended with the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the World Bank and the CNES. The Memorandum represents, through the cooperation with the CNES, an opportunity for the World Bank to extend its support to Algeria by involving other aspects of good governance activities. This cooperation will concentrate on the transfer of knowledge and expertise, which will, among other things, allow the CNES to establish a strong national capacity for the evaluation of governance. This conference was, in that respect, the first step taken in that direction.

With regards to the World Bank, these main fields of action are part of the broader framework of the CAS and of the technical assistance program provided to Algeria; especially concerning the reforms undertaken by the Algerian authorities as part of their work towards improving the investment climate and the provision of basic services.Therefore, the World Bank expresses its interest in supporting the CNES, on a multi annual basis, through a cooperation program. The envisioned assistance and support program will revolve around three axes:

• The strengthening of the CNES’s analytical capacities,
• The support to the CNES in the elaboration of annual reports and,
• The contribution to information, circulation and consultation efforts undertaken by the CNES.

Financing of these suggested activities will be determined later and will depend on the type and scope of the selected activities.