The UN Development Programme, the International Organization for Migration, the UN Association in Norway and other partners are organizing a panel discussion on how to ensure real development results working in challenging contexts, such as conflict situations, post-conflict, or in countries that are affected simultaneously by conflict and natural disasters.
The backdrop for the discussion would be a White Paper on development cooperation, launched in April by the Norwegian Government, placing great emphasis on the link between fragility and poverty. The paper indicates increased Norwegian investment in fragile contexts, based on the framework of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the paper, Norway notes that multilateral organizations serve as good channels for aid in fragile contexts, due to their local presence and knowledge, accountability measures and efficiency. However, the paper also recognizes that there are great risks involved in working in fragile contexts for both bilateral and multilateral organizations.
The discussion would focus on how to best handle risks associated with working in fragile contexts, addressing both short-term and long-term needs, and—crucially—also addressing the underlying causes of fragility and conflict. Some key concepts for these contexts would be flexibility, supporting resilience, national ownership, risk-tolerance, and delivering measurable results.