The MENA-OECD Governance Programme

ThE MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME share knowledge and expertise to modernise public governance disseminate standards and principles of good governance support the reform process in the mena region

The organisation for economic co-operation and development

The OECD is a unique forum where the governments of 34 democracies work together to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of globalisation. The OECD is at the forefront of efforts to understand and to help governments respond to new developments and concerns, such as corporate governance, the information economy and the challenges of an ageing population. The Organisation provides a setting where governments can compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and work to co-ordinate domestic and international policies.

Contents The mena-oecd governance programme: a strategic partnership 2 Focus on five key areas 3 1. Open governments 4 2. Efficient machinery of government 6 3. Gender equality 10 4. Local government 13 5. Rule of law 14 Multilateral initiatives

15

Country projects

17

Forthcoming highlights

24

Selected publications

24

The programme´s governance structure

25

Donors 26 Contact

Back cover

MENA-OECD GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME . 1

A strategic partnership The MENA-OECD Governance Programme is a strategic partnership between MENA and OECD countries to share knowledge and expertise, with a view of disseminating standards and principles of good governance. The Programme closely co-operates with national institutions, regional and international organisations, universities, bilateral donor agencies, and representatives of the civil society.

The Programme strengthens collaboration with the most relevant multilateral initiatives currently underway in the region. In particular, the Programme supports the implementation of the G7 Deauville Partnership (Governance Pillar) and assists MENA countries in meeting the eligibility criteria to become a member of the Open Government Partnership. Through these initiatives, the MENA-OECD Governance Programme acts as a leading advocate of managing the ongoing transition process in MENA countries.

2 . MENA-OECD GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME

The Programme provides a sustainable structure for regional policy dialogue as well as for country specific projects. The projects correspond to the commitment of MENA governments to implement public sector reforms in view of unlocking social and economic development and growing expectation among citizens to benefit from quality public services, inclusive policy making and transparency.

By drawing on its network of peer experts and policymakers, the MENA-OECD Governance Programme brings together high-level practitioners from MENA and OECD countries. Through constantly exchanging best practices, providing capacity building seminars and implementation support, the MENA-OECD Governance Programme helps foster a more social and economic development in the region.

FOCus On FivE kEy arEas 1. open governments 





2. efficient machinery of government

Open and inclusive policy making, citizen participation Digital government and innovation in the public sector

OpEnnEss TransparEnCy parTiCipaTiOn TrusT

public sector integrity and anticorruption frameworks

5. rule of law 



Efficient and effective budgeting and expenditure frameworks



regulatory reform and administrative simplification



peer dialogue between senior budget officials and procurement leaders

3. gender equality

performance of justice institutions



4. local government 

reform to reduce disparities between territories and citizens



institutional capacity building at the (sub-)national level



local development based on policy recommendations

institutional frameworks for gender equality, including in private and public employment

 reform

to fight legal discrimination and support gender-sensitive policy frameworks

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 3

1 Open governments mena-oecd WorKing groUp on civil service and inTegriTY (Wg i) By uniting policy practitioners from the MENA region and OECD countries engaged in promoting integrity and preventing corruption, WG I acts as the leading network to promote regional dialogue on public governance reform for integrity,

Annual meeting of Working Group I on Civil Service and Integrity, 24 March 2015 , Paris

2. Application of corruption prevention tools:

innovative anti-corruption strategies and institutions. implementing the steering group conclusions of february 2015, Wg i is currently engaged in a regional policy dialogue on the: 1. Alignment and integration of anti-corruption and open government strategies;

chair: Morocco co-chairs: spain Turkey

Asset declaration and codes of conduct; 3. Engagement of independent institutions and their role in promoting integrity; 4. Participation of citizens and civil society in developing policies to prevent and fight corruption.

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 by using the political momentum for open government reforms,

 OECD was invited to conduct a regional

governments should exploit synergies in anti-corruption and open government strategies.  anti-corruption tools should be developed in an inclusive manner

and build on effective enforcement mechanisms.  independent institutions, anti-corruption agencies and

Ombudsmen can act as crucial intermediaries between governments and citizens to promote integrity.

4 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

study on integrity.  youth issues shall be integrated in Wg i.  independent institutions can play a key

role in fighting corruption and ensure fair and equal treatment of citizens by the public administration.

Open governments delivering on the steering group conclusions, Wg ii is working in the following thematic areas: Annual meeting of WG II, 8 February 2015 , Dubai

mena-oecd WorKing groUp on open and innovaTive governmenT (Wg ii)

1. Assessing the implementation of open government and citizen participation policies in the MENA region by administering the OECD Open Government Survey; 2. Assessing current e-government and ICTs policies

Technological innovations bear the potential of redefining the

and initiatives against the new principles of the OECD

relationship between governments and citizens. WG II supports

Recommendation on Digital Government Strategies.

MENA countries in exploiting the potential of open government, digital government and innovation policies for more accountable and participatory governance and responsive public sectors. chair: Dubai co-chairs: south korea italy

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 Open government policies: should meet the demands of citizens

 Drafting of the regional study

and business, contribute to national policy goals, and be measured against concrete outcomes.  Open data: critical element in supporting economic growth,

improving public services, promoting transparency and accountability.

“Benchmarking Digital Government Strategies in the MENA Countries”.  next Wg ii meeting: February 2016, Dubai

(TbC).

 innovation: considering context allows innovative practices to be

aligned with regional priorities.

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 5

1

2 Efficient machinery of government mena-oecd senior BUdgeT officials neTWorK (mena-sBo / Wg iii) Public budgets are key policy documents to reconcile policy objectives and are thus subject to special requirements with regard to transparency and accountability. The MENA-SBO is a unique forum for exchanging best practice to modernise governance structures and operations for more efficient, transparent and participatory budgeting and public financial

7th annual MENA-SBO meeting, December 2014, Abu Dhabi

management processes.

The mena-sBo is the leading regional forum of budget directors to: 1. Gather OECD and MENA delegates and international experts

co-chair: sweden

management reform (e.g. expenditure prioritisation, performance budgeting and medium term expenditure frameworks).

(IMF, World Bank); chair: abu Dhabi

2. Discuss priorities in budgeting and public financial

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 The new OECD Principles on Budgetary Governance were highlighted

 hosting of the 2015 MEna-sbO by the

as a useful tool to create the multi-pronged framework needed for good public financial management (pFM).  Each participating country had the opportunity to present its latest

budgeting developments, challenges, and opportunities; this provided insight that was highly welcomed by participants.

6 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

Qatar Ministry of Finance in Doha.  increased collaboration with the region

to spread OECD best practice and help build pFM capacity (e.g. through topical meetings / seminars).

2

Efficient machinery of government mena-oecd WorKing groUp on regUlaTorY reform (Wg iv) Enhancing the regulatory environment through systematic consultation, the use of regulatory processes and tools and

manage regulatory reform in eight MENA countries; 2. Introduces tools to increase

reviews of the stock of legislation is a common concern of MENA

transparency and ensure good quality

countries. WG IV promotes a forum for MENA countries and

of new regulations;

international experts to exchange on good practices in regulatory reform.

3. Provides recommendations based on the Regional Charter for Regulatory

The OECD Review of Regulatory Reform in the Middle East

Quality (2009) and the OECD

and North Africa (2013):

Recommendations on Regulatory Policy

1. Assesses the implementation of OECD regulatory policy

(2012).

principles, strategies and institutional arrangements to chair: Tunisia co-chairs: France italy

Main FinDings

rECOMMEnDaTiOns

 MEna countries implement reforms for greater regulatory

 Design a consistent whole-of government

transparency but explicit policies for a government-wide approach are lacking.  MEna countries lack systematic reviews of existing regulations.  Training and capacity-building is largely provided on an ad hoc

basis.

regulatory policy.  adopt legislative drafting standards

across government; develop a strategy for reducing high administrative burdens.  Design a central institutional mechanism

within government.

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 7

2 EďŹƒcient machinery of government WhaT do We learn from The reporT? consultation procedures

ex-ante impact assessments 5 number of countries

ad hoc/informal consultation of stakeholders public can propose regulations

public hearings

4 3 2 1

s ni ha ec m

no

m

e

la w

sy s

te

s/ re

m

gu

at

la

ic

ti o

us

legal requirement for consultations

sm

e

ns

0

Conferences, workshops and seminars

so

(ad hoc) publications prior to approval

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Data based on the report (Total: 8 countries)

8 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

Data based on the report (Total: 6 countries)

EďŹƒcient machinery of government stocktaking report of mena countries procurement systems (in progress): 1. Identifies whether and to what degree reforms have been undertaken and measures progress against OECD Principles for Enhancing Integrity in Public Procurement; Meeting of the MENA-OECD Network on Public Procurement, 26-27 September 2013, Seoul

mena-oecd neTWorK on pUBlic procUremenT

2. Identifies common challenges that will inspire activities to support MENA countries in implementing modern, transparent and effective public procurement systems;

The MENA-OECD Network on Public Procurement assists

3. Results from the initial survey were compiled into a draft

MENA countries in designing and implementing effective

report, and MENA countries are invited to continue sharing

reform to modernise procurement systems for greater integrity,

updates at Network meetings and workshops.

transparency, effectiveness and value for money.

Encourage SMEs participation

Encourage national enterprises participation

Encourage green procurement

Egypt

yes

yes

no

jordan

no

yes

no

iniTial sTOCkTaking rEsulTs special provisions among the MEna countries surveyed to encourage the participation of sMEs, encourage national enterprises, and encourage green procurement.

libya

no

no

no

Morocco

yes

yes

yes

Tunisia

yes

yes

no

yemen

no

yes

yes MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 9

2

3 gender equality mena-oecd gender focUs groUp

The report on “Gender, Law and Public

“Women in governmenT plaTform”

Policies: Trends in the Middle East and North

Women play a critical role in demanding openness, social justice and equal access to opportunities. The MENA-

Africa” (2014) provides recommendations on: 1. How to bridge the gender gap:

OECD Gender Focus Group promotes

Eliminating gender-based

legal equality as well as equality of

discrimination;

opportunity and political voice.

2. Strengthening institutional frameworks for promoting gender equality; 3. Enabling women’s access to decision making posts in the public sector.

Main FinDings

rECOMMEnDaTiOns

 almost all countries ratified the Convention on Elimination of all

 amend legal frameworks to remove gender-based discriminations

Forms of Discrimination against Women but reservations on key articles prevail.  While gender equality strategies and institutions to promote

women’s empowerment exist, they are unevenly integrated in the policy process.  Women have experienced advances in access to decision-making

posts, still mobility restrictions and discrimination in labour laws remain.

10 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

and strengthen accountability mechanisms.  integrate international standards in gender equality strategies;

strengthen capacities, mandates and coordination of institutions.  strengthen policies related to work-life balance and equal access;

address social barriers and traditional gender stereotypes.

3

Gender equality What do we learn from the report?

Significant disparities prevail with regard to female representation in MENA countries´ legislatures

Disparities between men and women increase as one climbs the organisational ladder

100

TOP MANAGEMENT

MIDDLE MANAGEMENT

100

90

Full and part-time employees, as of 2010

Disparities between percentages of women and men employed

Percentage of seats in Parliament

80 70 60 50 40 30 20

80

78%

73%

69% 58%

60 49% 40

40% 26%

23%

20

18%

9% 10

0 n ge ria Al

sia

-6%

no

ba

Ira q

ni

Le

m

Tu

en ** * Ba ** hr ai n* Jo rd an Sa O ud ma n iA ra ** bi a* ** * Sy ria Dj ib Un ou ite ti M d o Ar ro cc ab Em o ira te s Eg yp t

* ** ar

Ye

Qa t

Ku

w

ai

t

0

Share of men Share of women

-20

-18% Egypt

Jordan

Tunisia

Morocco

Bahrain

Palestinian Authority

Notes: *Bahrain had no elections between 1975 and 2002; ** Oman had partial suffrage in 1994 and universal suffrage in 2003; ***Qatar only has women’s suffrage for municipal elections,**** Saudi Arabia has announced suffrage for 2015; ***** The data for Yemen is according to the year of suffrage for the Democratic Republic of Yemen. The Arab Republic of Yemen had women’s suffrage in 1970.

MENA-OECD GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME . 11

3 gender equality

ThE sEMinar  brought together over 100 government senior officials, gender

experts and key representatives from civil society organizations from MEna and OECD countries.  Was organised in cooperation with the arab administrative

Development Organization (araDO) under the patronage of her Majesty Queen rania al abdullah of the hashemite kingdom of jordan.  benefited from the support of Centre of arab Women for Training High Level Seminar on Gender, Law and Public Policy: Trends in the MENA, 17-18 November 2014, Amman

mena-oecd gender focUs groUp: high-level seminar “gender, laW and pUBlic policY: Trends in The middle easT and norTh africa” The main objectives of the seminar on 17-18 november 2014 in amman included: 1. Identifying and addressing strategic challenges faced by MENA countries in closing remaining gender gaps; 2. Generating dialogue and exchange of good practices in eliminating gender-based discrimination in laws and policy-making; 3. Discussing and promoting necessary conditions for women’s empowerment in public life.

12 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

and research (CaWTar) and the spanish agency for international Development Cooperation (aECiD).

COnClusiOns  amend inclusive legal reforms are required both on national and

local levels  Fostering gender equality across the MEna region will contribute

to social and economic well-being of citizens.  advancing gender diversity in public life contributes to trust in

government and in public institutions in the MEna region.  Developing capacities across the public sector is crucial to enable

change.  Developing inclusive and gender-responsive policies is necessary for

economic growth and requires a whole-of-government approach.  removing reservations on CEDaW is vital for advancing gender

equality in the region.

4

local government focUs groUp on local governmenT Regions are the place where citizens and policies meet.

The Focus Group on Local Government assists MENA countries in assessing and strengthening the capacities of public institutions on the local level and citizens´ ability to participate in the decision-making process.

The mena-oecd open government project Tunisia – case studies on local governments (sfax, gabés): 1. Assessment of the implementation of open government policies at the local level; 2. Peer review with representatives from Bilbao (Spain) and Milan (Italy).

Main FinDings  Tunisia’s centralised governance structure has been limiting citizen

participation, transparency and accountability mechanisms.  Tunisia’s transition is hampered by the split between the capital

and the rural southern areas.  Distributing responsibility across levels of government and

stakeholders is a way to capitalise on the demands of the revolution.

bEnEFiTs OF OpEn gOvErnMEnT  generate trust to facilitate collaboration between public officials,

private sector and ngOs in sfax.  improve environmental sustainability and protect local jobs in

gabés.

rECEnT prOjECT  The OECD conducted a case study of ajloun and Zarqa municipality

in jordan (May 2014) and will conduct another in Tangier and Fez, Morocco (2015).

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 13

5 rule of law reinforcing rUle of laW for economic and social developmenT MENA countries have expressed a strong demand for OECD assistance in reinforcing Rule of Law principles for economic and social development. The MENA-OECD Governance Programme delivers on this demand through its country projects with Egypt and Yemen and capacity building programmes to increase respect for the rule of law and elevate citizens’ confidence in the integrity of the judiciary system and of other public institutions. in line with the objectives of the g7 deauville partnership, mena Transition fund, the rule of law pillar assists mena countries in:

2. improving legal security for citizens and businesses;

1. Increasing the efficiency and public trust in the judicial

3. Fostering trust in government and promoting social and

bodies and court system;

economic performance.

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 Establishment of an OECD stream of work on justice (justice

 building an institutional framework to reinforce the rule of law

performance, access to justice and aDrs).  OECD Trust strategy, including trust in justice institutions.  inclusion of justice data in 2013 Governance at a Glance.

14 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

component in the MEna-OECD governance programme.  Capacity building programmes to enhance the independence,

autonomy and efficiency of the judiciary in MEna countries, improve access to justice and increase public trust (e.g. introduction to legislative drafting, Cairo, april 2015).

MulTilaTEral iniTiaTivEs mena-oecd open governmenT proJecT 1. The OECD assists Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and the Palestinian Authority in reviewing and assessing institutions, policies and practices supporting the implementation of Open Government principles; 2. At the OGP Summit in London 2013, the OECD was confirmed Angel Gurría, Secretary General, at the International Forum on Open Government, 30 September 2014, Paris

as an official Multilateral Partner Organisation of the OGP.

Whole of government coordination Budget transparency integrity citizen participation icT for og

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 access to international policy

 Jordan: implement the 2nd Ogp action

instruments.  Capacity building and implementation

assistance.  policy dialogue.  policy analyses and recommendations.

plan.  Lebanon: implement policies to join the

Ogp.  Libya: include open government

principles in state-building.  Morocco: pass a law that guarantees

access to information.  PA: implement policies to join the Ogp.  Tunisia: implement open government

initiatives (Ogp action plan) with citizens.

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 15

Multilateral initiatives mena-oecd open governmenT proJecT With the support of OECD analysis and training, MENA countries are designing and implementing open government policies and are engaging in a dialogue with civil society.

1st international forum on open government, 30 september 2014 in paris: 1. Foster an international policy dialogue and enhance the use of open government to promote economic prosperity; 2. Explore new areas of open government such as youth, rule of law, local government and open data and shape the OECD’s future agenda.

International Forum on Open Government, 30 September 2014, Paris

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 OECD Open government reviews of Morocco and Tunisia.

 strengthening the centre of government to coordinate open

 Tunisia joined the Ogp in january 2014.  Countries established mixed steering Committees to guide their

open government agenda and Civil society Organisations created Ogp networks.  Training in the areas of aTi, civic engagement, integrity and budget

transparency.

16 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

government policies.  Developing open government policies at the local level.  Enhancing the capacity to effectively engage citizens and civil

society.  addressing youth and gender issues and the use of iCTs.

COunTry prOjECTs – TUnisia i: promoTe inTegriTY and TransparencY in pUBlic governance

kEy aChiEvEMEnTs 1. The Code of Conduct for public officials was signed by the head of government in October 2014.

2. implementation support to operationalise the code: 48 public officials participated in two train-the-trainers seminars in june/ november 2014.

3. advocacy and awareness raising for good practices and tools in risk management, internal control as well as internal and external auditing among highlevel representatives from the public adminsitration, control institutions, public enterprises and customs in two capacity building seminars in september 2014 and February 2015.

4. launching of the manual Aspects pratiques du décret 2014-2039 du 13 mars 2014: réglementation des marchés publics to facilitate the interpretation and application of the new legislation.

kEy aChiEvEMEnTs 5. providing tailored recommendations to align the draft law for protecting whistleblowers in Tunisia with international standards, in collaboration with unDp. Train-the-Trainer programme for the Code of Conduct, 4-5 November 2014, Tunis

The proJecT The project “Deepening Tunisia´s integrity foundations” builds on two previous phases of collaboration with the Tunisian government to reinforce integrity and good governance. based on an assessment of the institutional and legal framework resulting in the 2012 OECD Integrity Review of Tunisia, the second phase provided technical assistance in elaborating a code of conduct and implementing an effective asset declaration system, and examined the audit and control system (2013). since january 2014, with the financial support of the uk arab partnership participation Fund, the project implements OECD recommendations by providing:

1. Train-the-trainers seminars to disseminate the values of the Code of Conduct; 2. Capacity building programmes to strengthen risk management practices and the audit and control system; 3. Capacity building programmes and a manual to increase transparency in public procurement and make effective use of the e-procurement platform; 4. Technical assistance in elaborating a legal framework for protecting whistleblowers.

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 17

COunTry prOjECTs – TUnisia ii: effecTive governance To consolidaTe poliTical TransiTion and promoTe economic prosperiTY in TUnisia The proJecT in line with the priorities of the Tunisian government to build effective institutions for political stability and inclusive growth, this project financed by the german Transformation partnership, builds on the OECD’s assessment of the Tunisian budget cycle and the recommendations provided to increase budget transparency, efficiency and

accountability.

The previous phase of the project (2013-2014) successfully supported Tunisia to publish its first Executive budget proposal and Citizen budget, which allowed it to join the Open government partnership in january 2014.

The current phase (2014-2016) assists Tunisia in the following key areas:

1. public financial management: Enhancing performance-based-budgeting at the national and local levels and control and audit capacities; 2. local governance: building institutional capacities at the local level in line with the new Constitution.

rECEnT aCTiviTiEs 1. The high level seminar on strenghtening public Financial Management on 11 May 2015 in Tunis gathered 80 high-level public officials to discuss effective strategies for developing a strategic vision of public expenditures and promote good governance in public financial management.

Minister of Finance opens the Seminar , 11 May 2015, Tunis 18 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

2. The seminar on promoting Decentralisation and regional Development in Tunisia on 15-16 june 2015 was the first to bring together the secretary of state for local Communities and the secretary of state for Development, investment and international Cooperation. participants from the central and local level discussed regional inequalities and a wholeof-government approach to strengthen local governance, to promote horizontal and vertical dialogue and improve capacities at local level.

COunTry prOjECTs – morocco: fighT corrUpTion and engage ciTiZens The proJecT The project supports the Institution du Médiateur du Royaume and l’Instance Centrale de Prévention de la Corruption (iCpC) in carrying out their new constitution mandate. it is financed by the uk arab partnership programme Fund.

The project supports public institutions in implementing reforms and reinforcing capacities to provide quality services to Moroccan citizens.

kEy aChiEvEMEnTs 1. at the national conference in january 2015 the role independent institutions play to promote good governance and open government was reinforced.

4. Consensus reached among participants for developing a single integrity online portal guided by Terms of References prepared by the OECD.

2. The Instance Centrale de Prévention de la Corruption (iCpC) and the Institution du Médiateur du Royaume set-up a common committee to jointly promote good governance.

5. 30 government representatives discussed the implications of the iCpC’s power to conduct corruption investigation as defined in the new Constitution.

3. 20 staff members of the institution du Médiateur participated in a seminar on strategic planning to draft their own strategic action plan in March 2014;

6. The OECD Communication Manual gives clear recommendations on how to improve information flows within government and with citizens.

The project provides: 1. a review of the institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks and management practices of the Institution du Médiateur and ICPC; 2. Capacity-building activities; 3. Citizen participation and communication measures; 4. support to the iCpC and the institution du Médiateur du royaume at the local level.

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 19

g7 deauville partnership – mena Transition fund project

COunTry prOjECTs – egYpT: sTrengThening The rUle of laW – effecTive and TransparenT deliverY of JUsTice and rUle-maKing, mena TransiTion fUnd proJecT

Launching Conference of the MENA Transition Fund Project, 25 September 2014 , Cairo

kEy aChiEvEMEnTs 1. inauguration of the project at ministerial level on 25 september 2014 in Cairo.

2. Capacity building for the Court of Cassation and Ministry of justice with peers from OECD countries.

3. Consensus reached on developing a reform action plan on the priority recommendations to automate the court.

20 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

The proJecT This MEna Transition Fund project of the g7 Deauville partnership is a joint-cooperation with the african Development bank, which supports: 1. Efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of justice; 2. Transparency and public participation in the rule-making process.

Project started in September 2014.

The project supports the implementation of an automated case management system for the Court of Cassation; build capacity to use new systems; reduce case delays and improve the provision of judicial services to the public.

The project will further work with the Ministry of justice to build capacities in legislative drafting and strengthen mechanisms for public consultation in the rule-making process.

g7 deauville partnership – mena Transition fund project

COunTry prOjECTs – Yemen: reinforcing The rUle of laW – developing The capaciTies of The JUdiciarY, mena TransiTion fUnd proJecT kEy aChiEvEMEnTs 1. inauguration of the project at ministerial level.

2. Completion of the peer review assessment for the judiciary in yemen.

3. Consensus on the action plan to build capacities in the judiciary. study visit to the netherlands Forensic institute and seminar on Code of Conduct.

The proJecT This MEna Transition Fund project of the g7 Deauville partnership builds judicial capacity to improve integrity, the efficiency and effectiveness of the court system and access to justice. it will provide technical assistance for the government of yemen in the implementation of the 2013 action plan within the framework of the strategy prepared by the Ministry of justice (Moj) in coordination with the Ministry of planning and international Cooperation.

The project addresses four components:

1. assessing and peer reviewing the capacities of judiciary;

3. improving the judicial infrastructure and institutional capacities in the Moj;

2. Enhancing judicial capacity and integrity, such as through “train-the-trainers” programmes for judges and a code of conduct for judges and prosecutors;

4. improving court management and access to justice.

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 21

g7 deauville partnership – mena Transition fund project

COunTry prOjECTs – egYpT, Jordan and morocco: ToWards inclUsive and open governmenTs: promoTing Women’s parTicipaTion in parliamenTs and policY maKing, mena TransiTion fUnd proJecT The proJecT This MEna Transition Fund project of the g7 Deauville partnership starting in autumn 2015 will support the efforts of Egypt, jordan and Morocco to maximise women’s integration in public life and policy-making process.

More specifically, the project aims to “promote women’s participation in parliaments and policy-making” by : 1. Making legislatures transparent, equitable and gender-sensitive; 2. Empowering (potential) women parliamentarians and strengthening their capacity and skills at the national and local levels; 3. improving public consultation capacity of parliaments and women’s CsOs in lawmaking processes.

This will be complemented by regular regional policy dialogue as an integral part of this project. This dialogue is a cross-cutting element for the continuity of the knowledge sharing process for implementation of 22 . MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME

reforms and transformation on the ground. in this context, “feedback loops” or “learning loops” will offer a multi-level mechanism for interaction and new policy approaches among parliamentarians and policy makers in the region.

The intended impacts will be: 1. To make parliaments open, accountable and transparent through measures to promote greater gender awareness and increase Civil

society participation; 2. improve gender sensitivity of parliament by responding to the needs of men and women in policies and structure; 3. secure women’s continued and equal access to parliament, by encouraging women candidates to run for election, changing electoral and campaigning laws and promoting gender equality legislation.

COunTry prOjECTs – palesTinian aUThoriTY: BUilding sTaTe-insTiTUTions KeY achievemenTs 1. The pa Code of Conduct is aligned with OECD integrity standards; 2. The rule of law manuals support a systematic introduction of consultation mechanism in the decision-making process; 3. The e-government strategy is pioneering work to support better public service delivery; 4. The prime Minister announced the strategic objective of joining the Open government partnership (Ogp).

The proJecT since 2009, the OECD is engaged in a partnership with the palestinian authority, the MEna-OECD initiative to support the palestinian authority (Mip), to assist in the implementation of core public governance reforms: 1. Fighting corruption; 2. strengthening the rule of law; 3. improving public service delivery.

The partnership is financed by the government of norway and anchored in a solid institutional platform, coordinated by the Ministry of planning and administrative Development.

The project is fully operational with over 50 activities implemented, numerous OECD peers involved and permanent on-the-ground assistance provided by a local senior field manager.

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 23

Forthcoming highlights

Selected publications

Second Seminar on Performance-Based Budgeting in Tunisia 21 September 2015, Tunis

OECD Open Government in Morocco (English and French, 2015)

Study Visit to Justice Institutions (G7 DP MENA Transition Fund Project Strengthening the Rule of Law) 21 September- 2 October 2015, Paris Joint Seminar with the OGP on “Including Civil Society in Morocco for Open Government” 29 September 2015, Rabat Launching Conference “Towards inclusive and open governments: Promoting women’s participation in parliaments and policymaking” (G7 DP MENA Transition Fund Project) 30 September 2015, Rabat Seminar on the Role of the Parliament in increasing Accountability October 2015, Tunis 8th Annual Meeting MENA-Senior Budget Officials (WG III) 3-4 November 2015, Doha MENA-OECD Steering Group Meeting 9-10 November 2015, Morocco High Level Conference on Promoting Gender Mainstreaming: Towards Gender Sensitive Policies December 2015, Bahrain

24 . MENA-OECD GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME

OECD Open Government in Tunisia (English and French, 2015) Examen de l´OCDE du système de contrôle et d´audit de la Tunisie – Gestion des risques dans les institutions publiques (French, 2014) Renforcer l´intégrité en Tunisie: L´élaboration de normes pour les agents publics et le renforcement du système de déclaration de patrimoine (French, 2014) Women in Public Life – Gender, Law and Policy in the Middle East and North Africa (English, 2014) Effective integrity in practice: Designing and implementing the code of conduct of the Palestinian Administration (English, 2013) Palestinian Authority – E-Government Policy Document (English, 2013) Palestinian Authority – E-Government Implementation Roadmap (English, 2013) OECD Review of Regulatory Reform in the Middle East and North Africa – Implementing Regulatory Policy Principles to Foster Inclusive Growth (English, French and Arabic, 2013) OECD Integrity Review of Tunisia – The Public Sector Framework (English and French, 2013) Consolider la transparence budgétaire pour une meilleure gouvernance publique en Tunisie (French, English and Arabic, 2013)

The MEna-OECD governance programme’s governance structure MEna Co-chair (Morocco) h.e. mr mohamed moUBdii Minister Delegate to the head of government in charge of the civil service and the modernisation of the administration

regional partners

OECD Co-chair (spain) h.e. mr ricardo dÍeZ-hochleiTner ambassador, permanent representative of spain to the OECD

arab administrative Development Organization (araDO) Center of arab Woman for Training and research (CaWTar) gCC giFT-MEna Middle East partnership initiative (MEpi)

1. integrity and civil service

international partners

7. network of public procurement practitioners

2. open government and innovation regional networks

6. focus group on local government

anna lindh Foundation European Commission

3. mena senior Budget officials

5. gender focus group “Women in government platform”

4. regulatory reform

mena-oecd Training centre of caserta (italy)

civil society advisory Board

iMF Open government partnership union for the Mediterranean unDp World bank

MEna-OECD gOvErnanCE prOgraMME . 25

Donors 2013-2015 regional programme

coUnTrY proJecTs

spain

Turkey

germany

united kingdom

usa

italy

MEpi

MEna Transition Fund g7 Deauville partnership

south korea

France

norway

abu Dhabi and Federal government of uaE

Qatar

contacts mr martin forst head of the governance reviews and partnership Division Martin.Forst@oecd.org

ms miriam allam policy analyst MEna-OECD governance programme Miriam.Allam@oecd.org

www.oecd.org/mena/governance