GEI Partnership Council Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening M&E Systems

The Global Evaluation Initiative's (GEI) Partnership Council, which represents GEI’s donors, convened in Paris on November 17, 2023, at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

The Council reflected on GEI progress (Annual Report 2022-2023) and discussed ways to further leverage the donors’ partnerships in support of GEI’s mission to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems of developing countries. 

Members of the Partnership Council appreciated GEI’s achievements and endorsed GEI’s strategic direction.  The Council welcomed the Country Partnership Guidance document, outlining GEI's collaboration with implementing partners at the national level. This collaboration aims to strengthen M&E systems used by governments in their decision-making processes. 

They also backed the proposal to restructure GEI's Advisory Board, aiming to formally integrate the perspectives of partner countries within the GEI’s framework. 

Reflecting on the interconnected facets of GEI's work, members stressed the imperative for increased synergy among GEI’s work streams and collaboration among bilateral and multilateral organizations. This collaboration seeks to offer more robust and efficient support at the country level, amplifying efforts to strengthen national M&E Systems. This point was very well received also by the numerous observers from prospective GEI partner organizations that participated at the council. 

“IEG is fully committed to the mission of GEI. It represents a shared vision among all the partners of the vital role evaluation capacity development plays in strengthening developing country’s overall capacity to prepare for and respond to development challenges more effectively. The growing demand for stronger evaluation capacity from countries shows that they share this understanding of evaluation’s role. I look forward to working with all the partners who support GEI to realize its mission of closing the global gaps in evaluation capacity” Sabine Bernabe, Director General of the Independent Evaluation Group and Vice-President of the World Bank. 

“IEO continues to be committed to the mandate of the GEI and its pursuit of strengthened national evaluation systems and enhancing our side of the partnership, linking GEI with UNDPs work globally, using our reputation and relationships in developing countries to pursue our collective goals.” Isabelle Mercier, Director of UNDP Independent Evaluation Office.

The next GEI Partnership Council will take place in April 2024.