Briefing Papers Number 13, December 2011 | Page 6

Management systems over the period 2005-2010. Some of these countries made considerable progress. At the same time, however, a sizable number of countries saw setbacks in the quality of their systems. • Donors are using partner country systems more than in 2005, but not to the extent agreed in Paris. In particular, the 2008 survey found that donors are not systematically making greater use of country systems where these are more reliable. On the other hand, there are fewer Parallel Project Implementation Units structures set up by donors to implement aid-funded activities that can hinder efforts to ensure accountability—than in previous years, even though there was not enough progress to meet the target. • Although donors did not make progress in untying aid across the sample of 78 countries participating in the 2011 survey, good progress is being made by donors in developing their own individual plans to further untie aid. The proportion of global assistance that is untied has risen slightly among donors who are members of the Development Assistance Committee [DAC] of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. this regard is the need for policy coherence at the country level that creates an enabling environment where all people have a chance to contribute to progress. With the 2015 deadline for achieving the MDGs approaching rapidly, the world needs a reaffirmation of the commitment made by international leaders and 190 countries to fight poverty through the MDGs. The global situation today calls for intensified collective action and inclusive partnerships that make progress possible for all. Opportunities for Busan 1. Sustain and build momentum for the Millennium Development Goals Moving the aid effectiveness agenda forward so that the MDGs are achieved is a complex task, but a necessary one. While more work lies ahead, efforts to achieve the MDGs have already saved lives, helped to lift millions of people out of poverty, and ensured that more children attend school. MDG-related work has reduced maternal deaths, expanded opportunities for women, increased access to clean water, and protected people from debilitating diseases.7 Now is an opportunity to build and sustain momentum, a vital ingredient for the journey towards 2015. It is a critical time for efforts to improve aid effectiveness, especially as aid comes increasingly under scrutiny for evidence of its impact and value-for-money. Because targets for the Paris indicators were only specified up to 2010, the Busan meeting presents an important opportunity to help forge consensus on a new set of targets and indicators. Crista Friedli ȸ