Conference seeks measures for better foreign aid management
The coordination and management of foreign assistance poured into science and technology projects should be improved to ensure the effectiveness of the aid, heard a conference held by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) on August 11.
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According to VUSTA Vice President Nghiem Vu Khai, since early this year, the union received 52 non-governmental aid projects totalling US$5 million, together with three official development assistance projects worth over US$6 million.
However, many union’s agencies are facing difficulties in implementing the projects, including obstacles in document processing, verification, reporting, supervision and financial balancing.
Representatives from the associations pointed out that there remain limitations in the legal framework, policy system and administrative procedures relating to the implementation of the projects, together with the slow issuance of legal documents guiding the enforcement of laws.
At the same time, there is lack of a standard guideline on the procedure of building the programmes and projects, they said, adding that the engagement of Vietnam ’s authorised agencies in the designing of the programmes has been poor.
A number of regulations guiding the management of foreign assistance are not uniform and specific, leading to low responsibility of agencies, while the supervision and evaluation of the projects have not received adequate attention due to lack of evaluation tools and indications, they held.
Meanwhile, management officials at both State agencies and international organisations are not fully aware of the important legal regulations relating to Vietnam ’s foreign aid management.
State management agencies and sponsors need to share information more regularly, they said.
According to Khai, recommendations from participants will be forwarded to authorised agencies for the completion of legal documents and policies related to the coordination, management and using of foreign assistance.
He also highlighted the need for the science and technology associations to become more active and enhance their capacity in attracting, negotiating and signing foreign assistance agreements.