Principles for good international engagement in fragile states & situations

This paper, published by the OECD, outlines a set of ten principles adopted by OECD Ministers in 2007, which it suggests international agencies should share in order to help maximise the positive impact of their engagement in fragile states, and to minimise unintentional harm. It argues that analysis and action should be calibrated to individual country circumstances, and that agencies should shift from reaction to prevention to address the root causes of state fragility.They should focus on building the capacity of states to perform their core functions, as well as strengthening their legitimacy and accountability.

Further recommendations include aligning with local priorities and systems to the greatest extent possible, and recognising the inter-dependency of politics, security, economy and society. Coherence between different donor government agencies and mechanisms to coordinate the work of different international actors are also important. Agencies should avoid activities which undermine national institution-building, such as developing parallel systems without thought to transition mechanisms and long term capacity development. A mixture of aid instruments is required, and assistance needs to be flexible, fast, and sustained enough to give success a chance. Finally, the paper calls for donors to address the problem of “aid orphans” – countries where there are no significant political barriers to engagement, but which receive little aid at present.