The NGO community in Cambodia appreciates the opportunity to participate in the 2000 Consultative Group Meeting on Cambodia. This represents the eighth occasion in which NGOs have attended the annual meetings with the Royal Government of Cambodia
(RGC), multilateral, and bilateral donors on development assistance to Cambodia. NGOs hope through this forum to give voice to their shared development concerns.
NGOs affirm the government's commitment to reduce poverty, as articulated in its Five-Year Socio-economic Plan (1996-2000). NGOs seek a form of development in Cambodia that is relevant to the resources, needs and aspirations of its people. As Cambodia enters a new era of peace and stability an opportunity exists to strengthen public institutions and accountability, and make real inroads towards achieving the goal of poverty reduction.
In a survey conducted by the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia in February 2000, NGOs identified the following areas as key priorities for reform:
1. Good Governance, with particular emphasis on:
a) Promotion of the Rule of Law
b) Public Participation in State Affairs
c) Public Administration Reform
2. Human Resource Development
3. Reaching the Poor
The Royal Government of Cambodia has made some significant progress since the 1999 Consultative Group Meeting in its efforts to promote democracy, civil society, social and economic reform. NGOs commend the government for recent statements committing it to reform agendas in the areas of public administration, the military, judiciary, fiscal and forestry reform. The real challenge now, is not so much in the formulation of policies, as it is in the implementation of reform measures. NGOs observe weaknesses in the government's ability to implement policies and enforce laws. Strong political will and considerable financial and human resources are required.
This statement represents a collaborative effort between three formal NGO membership organizations, namely the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia
(CCC), the NGO Forum on Cambodia and the MEDiCAM association of NGOs working in health, together with contributions from sectoral working groups. Seventeen sectoral papers and additional information about the NGO sector in Cambodia are attached as appendices.
|