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The Paris Declaration sets out an overall framework of agreement and structure of mutual accountability between aid-receiving countries and their development partners to give substance to the consensus model of “country-led” development. This thematic study acts as a contribution to Accra discussions. The authors synthesize existing evidence on the aid effectiveness and state-building challenges faced in fragile and conflict-affected situations and explore the relevance and application of the Paris Declaration and the Fragile States principles in different contexts of fragility and conflict.

The document sets out key challenges in improving effective engagement by development partners in fragile situations. The report is based on a review of primary and secondary literature and four desk based country case studies - Afghanistan, Burundi, the DRC and Nepal - were carried out. The authors also focus on engagement in transitional or post conflict situations where political change has provided an opportunity for establishing an effective development partnership with the national government. Overall conclusions in relation to assessing the relevance and application of the Paris Declaration and Fragile States principles are provided and include:

• it is important to plan for uncertainty through deeper contextual analysis and consideration of alternative scenarios
  
• important to channel engagement through more flexible aid modalities, to increase the availability of more contingency funding, and do a better job of signaling expectations when negotiating development partnerships with country partners
  
• the Fragile States principles should also remind development partners of the need to stay engaged long enough to give success a chance
  
• harmonisation remains a key priority for effective engagement in relation to both aid effectiveness and state-building.
  

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