Results of the Paris Declaration Evaluation

Abstract

The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness comprised principles and specific commitments for improving development aid processes, accepted by an unprecedented coalition of developing countries and aid donors. The Synthesis Evaluation used data from a variety of sources to answer questions on (a) the relevance of the Declaration and its implementation for aid effectiveness, (b) the actual record of implementation, (c) contributions to aid effectiveness and development results, (d) changing burdens of aid management, (e) added value of Paris Declaration-style development cooperation, and (f) key implications for future aid effectiveness. Conclusions of the synthesis evaluation and recommendations aimed at policy makers in partner countries and donor agencies are presented. The campaign to make aid programs more effective is relevant and showing results. But improvements are slow and uneven in most developing countries and especially among donor agencies. The Declaration’s original aspirations are neither fully implemented nor yet outdated.