Partners Meetings

Upcoming/Current

No Partners Meeting is currently scheduled.

Past

Fourth Bi-annual Partners Meeting
(May 12-14, 2004 ~ Brussels, Belgium)
MDRP partner representatives met in Brussels, Belgium from May 12 to 14, 2004 to: (i) update donors and partners on the progress made to date under the MDRP; (ii) discuss a number of thematic as well as country-specific issues with a view to further enhancing the MDRP's relevance on the ground; and (iii) discuss upcoming plans under the program and specific next steps to follow up on recommendations made by partners in the course of the meeting.

Click here for meeting background documents.

Third Bi-annual Partners Meeting
(November 12-14, 2003 ~ Kinshasa, Dem. Republic of Congo)
MDRP partner representatives met in Kinshasa, DRC from November 12 to 14, 2003 to: (i) update donors and partners on the progress made to date under the MDRP; (ii) discuss a number of thematic as well as country-specific issues with a view to further enhancing the MDRP's relevance on the ground; (iii) discuss two position papers on linkages between DDR and security sector reform, and targeting of MDRP assistance; and (iv) discuss upcoming plans under the program and specific next steps to follow up on recommendations made by partners in the course of the meeting.

Next steps consisted of: (i) providing more regular information on status of special project processing and develop a monitoring tool to report on periodic implementation progress; (ii) preparing and circulating for MDRP and implementing partners guidelines outlining the reasons for and exceptions to the proposed freeze on special projects in the DRC; (iii) participating in review of the proposal for a "donor facilitator"; (iv) identifying and planning specific training/knowledge sharing events based on TCG input and seek partner interest in participating or facilitating; and (v) recruiting additional term staff for Burundi and DRC.

Click here for meeting background documents.

Second Bi-annual Partners Meeting
(April 29-30, 2003 ~ Paris, France)
Partner representatives gathered in Paris, France from April 29 to 30, 2003 for the MDRP Secretariat, Technical Coordination Group (TCG) and lead agencies to: (i) update donors and partners on the progress made to date under the MDRP; (ii) discuss a number of thematic as well as country-specific issues with a view to enhancing the MDRP's relevance on the ground; (iii) seek the endorsement of donors on an MDTF grant in support of the Angola national program; and (iv) discuss upcoming plans under the program and specific next steps to follow up on recommendations made by partners in the course of the meeting.

Next steps consisted of: (i) Finalizing Angola DRP grant agreement under MDRP Trust Fund; (ii) Expediting special project proposal approval and grant agreements for DRC, Angola and Burundi; (iii) undertaking assessment and/or identification missions to CAR and Congo/Brazzaville based on final TORs and schedule to be developed by UNDP and MDRP partners in-country; (iv) Preparing a position paper on the links between security sector reform and DDR, an options paper on supporting other vulnerable groups associated with fighting forces, a report on Government of Angola progress in public sector financial management efforts, and a note aiming at providing a unified vision for MDRP support in Burundi; (v) Improving the timeliness of reporting and information sharing among partners regarding MDRP and general DDR initiatives.

For related information, see the background documents for this meeting.

First Bi-annual Partners Meeting
(November 7-8, 2002 ~ The Hague, The Netherlands)
Partner representatives gathered in The Hague from November 7 to 8, 2002 to discuss: outcomes of the Joint Supervision Mission of September/October 2002 and draw lessons for the organization of future joint missions; status of national programs; status of and guidelines for special projects; the need to establish strong links between DDR programs and Security Sector Reform (SSR); status of Trust Fund receipts and projected expenses; approach to dependents of ex-combatants.

Agreed next steps consisted of: (i) Finalizing Rwanda MDRP grant agreement; (ii) Finalizing Angola ADRP negotiations and seeking no-objection to proceeding with MDTF grant arrangements electronically once conditions of participation were met; (iii) Requesting special project proposals from key implementing partners in Angola to facilitate the rapid start-up of essential reintegration activities; (iv) Finalizing special project guidelines and securing internal Bank clearance, taking into consideration remarks made in the meeting; (v) Following-up with UNDPKO, UNHCR and OCHA on plans to repatriate or relocate dependents of ex-combatants and funding activities if considered essential; (vi) Moving ahead with national programs in Uganda and CAR (when the political climate allows) and special projects in the DRC and Burundi; (vii) Following-up on Congo-Brazzaville national program as progress warrants.

For related information, see the background documents for this meeting.