Monitoring the Effectiveness of South-South Cooperation in Mexico

Developing a monitoring approach for effective SSC in Mexico

Towards a Solution

This initiative, led by Mexico, sought to adapt the Global Partnership Monitoring Framework to the country’s context and needs. The objective was to gather data and evidence in order to inform the national institutional framework for SSC and solidify the role of SSC in sustainable development.

The initiative was implemented by AMEXCID, which led the overall monitoring process as well. The Agency designed a pilot framework, collected and validated data, and conducted an analysis and inclusive consultation. The initiative was supported by Germany and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mexico, and substantive technical guidance was provided by the Global Partnership Joint Support Team (JST). The monitoring exercise consisted of three fundamental steps.

The first step was to develop a pilot framework. In 2016, Mexico examined the applicability of the Global Partnership indicators. This assessment informed work undertaken in 2017 to develop a pilot framework to monitor the effectiveness of SSC. Developed by Mexico and guided by the Global Partnership JST, the adapted indicators under the pilot framework were as follows:

• The offer of SSC is aligned with the results frameworks and priorities of the recipient country.
• The provider countries use SSC strategic results frameworks.
• Civil society organizations participate in SSC and contribute to effective development cooperation.
• There are quality public-private dialogues in SSC.
• Information on SSC is publicly available.
• SSC is subject to parliamentary oversight.
• SSC incorporates gender equality.

The second step was to test the pilot framework. Data was collected on the monitoring indicators in 2018, with the participation of over 100 stakeholders from the Government, civil society and the private sector. Following the data collection and analysis, a national workshop was held to discuss the findings, bringing together participating actors, recipients of Mexican cooperation and other Southern providers. At the end of the multi-stakeholder workshop, a group session was held to discuss the most relevant conclusions. Based on the opinions of the participants, a list of recommendations was generated to improve the effectiveness of South-South cooperation in Mexico.

Participants found that the institutional framework for SSC had been strengthened, including monitoring and evaluation systems for cooperation programmes. This allows cooperation to be better aligned with development priorities and to increase focus on results. Nevertheless, there is room to strengthen operational mechanisms and stakeholder engagement in SSC programmes and projects. There must also be an effort to incorporate a more systematic gender perspective.

The results and recommendations are contained in the report entitled ‘Monitoring Exercise in South-South Cooperation Effectiveness’, which will guide national action to strengthen development cooperation in Mexico. The report will also inform the development of the next AMEXCID programme for international development cooperation. The results are currently being used to inform national reporting on progress made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically on target 17.15, to respect each country’s policy space and leadership, and target 17.16, to enhance the global partnership for sustainable development with multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.

These initial results were presented by the Government of Mexico at a side event with representatives from other countries during the BAPA+40. The recommendations are pertinent to middle-income countries and countries with dual roles in international development cooperation. Given the multi-stakeholder nature of the proposed solutions, these ideas could benefit civil society organizations, the private sector and donor countries equally.

The third step of the exercise was to explore replicability. Understanding the diversity of SSC, the JST engaged a number of Southern providers to gauge the adapted framework’s applicability for monitoring the effectiveness of SSC in other contexts. Officials from Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa participated in an online questionnaire and a series of interviews. These consultations examined how SSC is organized and provided, including whether these providers have national and subnational strategies in place to guide cooperation. They also considered the process for deciding on SSC interventions, including how these arrangements are formalized, and which stakeholders are involved at the various stages.

The pilot framework developed by Mexico will serve as the basis for other SSC providers as they seek to assess the quality of the cooperation they provide. The framework will be a flexible tool that can be adapted to different SSC provider contexts. In fact, Colombia is currently planning a similar exercise.