Comments

Thanks for this post Transform and particularly for providing a much needed insight into the political machinery of Marshall Islands. The Vanuatu parliament meets Feb 11th and we are hoping that appropriate constitutional and legislative reform to provide for greater stability (work that was commenced early last year) will be early on the agenda. I do have a question: a Samoan associate pointed out to me recently that her country was the most politically stable in the region: this is undoubtedly true and there are certainly some exemplary policy developments we can point to in that country but there are also some serious issues including worryingly high levels of public debt...so is it ever possible to say that there can be too much political stability?

Chris, Interesting piece, but isn't it odd to ask whether countries can afford to reduce poverty? Isn't that like asking if they can afford to grow? Look forward to hearing more (and seeing you) at the aid conference.

Great piece brings focus to the resource needed to implement Global Goals. However, the sums of money involved are so small that they should make us all ashamed. Every year tax evasion and offshore investment schemes take over US$ 1,000 Billion out of poorer countries around the World. If we simply eliminated Global tax avoidance the LMICs could be made self-sufficient, leaving the balance of Global aid to cover the $70B gap in LICs. In any case rich countries should be making long term investment in Global economic development by increasing aid to poorer countries. The cost upto 2014 of the US "war on terror" in Afghanistan and Iraq was over $2,400 Billion. An investment just a fraction of this size, to help elimiate Global poverty, would have done far more to advance World peace and economic stability. Real progress will only be made once we stop seeing the World in terms of "them and us" and start to all view each other as Global Citizens. Economically this means working towards a "Global Economic Community" which is the only way to bring some of these key changes about. Robert P Bruce author www.TheGlobalRace.net

Dear Robin, I haven't read the report and not planning to do it anytime soon. I will assume that this blog is a good summary of what is to be found. Not sure why, this sector always looks at the UN as the only mechanism that could deliver a solution. They are, without a doubt, a good convener of well educated Illuminati with great from the book solutions. The problem always lies with the lack of local context and the fact that there are NO global solutions. The CERF-like proposed fund will be good for big NGOs where the vetting processes will be impossible for local and more agile organizations to meet. The UN and similar agencies have to respect international accords (like the Paris declaration) where the limited definition of "country ownership" increases bureaucracy and reduces effectiveness. Too important ...I agree ...but the FERC like fund will do little to support local organizations.

Thanks Alurigo. I enjoyed your comment. I agree - one day it will be great when substantive discussions about policy overtake the mechanisms of aid delivery!

For places outside of POM and Lae where the LLG are in charge of waste removal - are there any laws prohibiting private companies from doing domestic and corporate waste removal?

I read this interesting article and must commend NZ for taking a proactive role in how best it helps with the development aspirations of the countries in the Pacific, especially those who are members or observers of the Forum Secretariat. Undoubtedly, evolving learning cultures, sharing experiences, imparting skills, bringing in diverse perspectives contribute to helping capacity building needs become more evident. While development co-operation dialogue and policy need to be realistically addressed in many countries, this will obviously demand a focused review of capacity available and thus the strength of the institutions that have the required capacity. Human resource development should be a priority in any development cooperation effort to ensure sustainable development occurs to the point where one would not have to talk about Aid but discuss what is working well and what one is doing to handle a challenge. I among many others take this opportunity to applaud NZ Aid, MFAT and the NZ Government for its leadership role in the Pacific. Keep it up.. Kia ora. Alurigo Ravusiro (Port Moresby)

I agree with you Paul. It's almost like the predictable government apologist responding to a genuine problem with a lot of bureaucratize and obfuscation. The real problem that many seem unable to get their head around is one of competency and lack of initiative. Waffling about what needs to be done never actually achieves anything more than revealing another political filibuster. Either there is an effective response to a problem or there isn't. Saying that the local MP's will suffer at the next election hardly helps those who desperately need help now. Of course outsiders often seem have a problem with 'New Guinea time' unless they themselves are prone to practice it.

Paul, Thanks for the excellent piece on the reality of the drought in rural areas and lack of response from the PNG government. Your piece paints a stark contrast to the rosy image Felicity Herbert painted of the government's response last week. Not only is the government failing in their own response to the drought relief effort, their pride is prohibiting other actors from delivering food aid to starving PNG citizens. If the PNG government is adamant to manage the response to this disaster themselves, and without any form of external assistance, then they must also be willing to be held accountable for the lackadaisical and underwhelming response so far. They must also be prepared to face their people and answer why when their people were starving and food aid was available from donors and long-term friends of the country they did not take it. Keep up the good work that you are doing. Regards, Jonathan

Thanks Stewart – a good piece of political analysis. Personally, I think it entirely appropriate that the Pacific diversifies its foreign relationships while still drawing on historic ties. The article prompts three questions for me. First, if the departure of Australian advisers from PNG is primarily an indication of national independence, why only ask half the advisers leave rather than all of them? Does the selection of ministries where the cuts have been targeted say something (for example, why not the immigration advisers?). I’ll cover this more in a presentation to the Australasian Aid conference next week. Second, where do you draw your figures on the impact of the LNG resources boom in PNG? The background article talks of the PNG LNG project being “expected to double or even triple the size of the PNG economy, as measured in conventional terms, and a further doubling is expected when the Gulf LNG project comes on stream in 2021.” My understanding is that this is an unhelpful myth. PNG LNG was good for the PNG economy – it contributed about 25% to real GDP growth over 2014 and 2015. This is only a small fraction of the 100 to 200% mentioned in the background article. Even before the drop in oil prices, revenues from the PNG LNG project were largely simply going to replace declining revenues from other mines (such as Ok Tedi) and oil fields that were coming to the end of their economic lives. There is no resource boom to be emboldened by. Third, and related to the previous point, what are the economic and development implications of this type of independence? Many of the foreign policy initiatives have new costs (new aid donations, new overseas missions and APEC will be a major drain on the PNG budget). Chinese concessional finance would flow without some of these embellishments. A more independent approach could be undertaken at lower cost. The likely diversion of funds from government health and education programs possibly raises questions about policy priorities. Paul

Tff has relieved the parents and increased enrolments the positives the negatives are evident as well. Lack of resources at the schools, more work load for teachers and importantly parents loose authority over their children all leading to poor educational standard a massive wastage of young energetic population who are eating the fabric of the society. Tff needs further refining.

I am from a sub-Saharan African nation and I can absolutely relate to the bottom-line conclusions of this article. I feel there is such a wide gap between the poor and the wealthy in developing nations to a point where the needs of both groups are totally different. One groups yearns for connectivity whiles the other just wants the very basic necessities of life : clean water, shelter, health care, food etc. I agree with you, if any strategy should be considered at all, it must be a complimentary agenda and not a replacement one.