The APRM is a self-monitoring mechanism, voluntarily acceded to by the member states of the African Union (AU). It facilitates the attainment of the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) by promoting the adoption of policies, standards, and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated and continental economic integration.

The essence is to ensure that countries that accede are fully committed to the principles, priorities and objectives of NEPAD and are willing to allow their peers to review the state of affairs in their respective countries in the areas of Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance, and Socio-Economic Development.

The project was designed following the Government of Mozambique request for UNDP assistance. It counts with financial support from Norway, United Kingdom and Germany and has a total budget of almost USD 1.900.000 (one million and nine hundred American Dollars).

The expected results of the project are:

· Establish a National Forum to oversee the process

· Establish a Technical Unit to coordinate and manage the process

· Facilitating the preparation of the Country Self-Assessment and the Programme of Action

· Ensuring civil society participation in the process

· Ensuring the finalization of the Country Review Report

· Raising public awareness about the APRM

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Mozambizan Minister of Planning and Development, Mr. Aiuba Cuereneia, stressed that the process should be subject to a wider dissemination by civil society organizations so that every single citizen in Mozambique should understand it and fully participate. He also said that it is crucial that the APRM tools are true reflections of the situation on the ground, capturing the views of the majority of the Mozambican people, including who is living in rural areas for less than a dollar a day.

On her turn, the UNDP Country Director, Ms. Anna Soumaré Coulibaly praised the document for integrating civil society activities. In other countries, the APRM has been much criticized for not taking into consideration the special needs and requirements of civil society and for not ensuring full and equal participation of civil society in the preparation of the Country Self-Assessment and the Programme of Action.

“The particular emphasis on civil society” – she said – “is one of the main reasons why I think Mozambique will become an example for other countries to look at – and learn from – when implementing the African Peer Review Mechanism.”

In Mozambique, more than one third of the members of the National Forum are representatives from civil society. They are part of the technical team established to support the National Forum as well and most of the activities foreseen are related directly to the preparation and mobilization of Mozambican civil society.

In Mozambique, the implementation process of the APRM started with the launch of the National Forum by His Excellency the President of Mozambique, Mr. Armando Guebuza, in July 2006.

For more information, please contact:

Nelson Xavier, UNDP Communication Officer.

Mobile phone: + 258 82 3140600

Office + 258 21 481438

E-mail: nelson.xavier@undp.org

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.