Inauguration of the MENA-OECD Governance Programme Training Centre of Caserta Parallel events: Launching of the MENA-OECD Network on Public Procurement Steering Committee Meeting of the Distance Learning for Innovative Public Sector Launching meeting of National Schools of Public Administration 19 -20 September 2012 MENA-OECD Governance Programme Training Centre Caserta, Italy 1 Inauguration of the Regional MENA-OECD Governance Programme Training Centre of Caserta In a joint effort to pursue the broadest dissemination of knowledge-sharing through innovative and cost efficient means, the OECD and the Italian National School of Public Administration (SSPA) have determined the establishment of a MENA-OECD Governance Programme Training Centre at the SSPA in Caserta. The venue of the Centre will be in the Royal Palace (designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997), which is the historical headquarters of the SSPA. This Centre is a part of the Action Plan on Open Governance and Anticorruption of the Deauville Partnership for Arab Countries in Transition (Governance Pillar), the framework of which is tailored to strongly support the participating countries’ programme in the areas of governance, transparency and accountability. In this context Italy has been entrusted with the task of setting up and launching e- learning projects in order to implement capacity building and policy sharing programs and initiatives aiming to facilitate ongoing democratic transitions, enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public institutions and promote Good Governance in line with the broader objectives of the MENA-OECD Governance Programme. TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2012 20.00 Networking dinner Venue: Centro residenziale e studi, Caserta 2 WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2012 Opening ceremony 9.45-10.30 Registration 10.30-12.00 Welcome addresses Mr. Giovanni Tria - President of SSPA Mr. Rolf Alter - Director - Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate, OECD Mr. Stefano Caldoro - President of Campania Region Opening speeches H.E. Mr. Filippo Patroni Griffi - Minister for Public Administration and Simplification, Italy H.E. Mr. Abdelaadim Guerrouj - Minister Delegate to the Head of the Government in charge of Civil Service and Modernization of the Administration, Morocco and Chair of the MENA-OECD Governance Programme H.E. Mr. Khleef Alkhawaldeh - Minister of Public Sector Development, Jordan H.E. Mr. Isa Al Tweijri - Minister of Planning, Libya H.E. Mr. Abderrahman Ladgham - Minister Delegate for Transparency and Fighting Corruption, Tunisia Ms. Amani Essawi -Minister’s Assistant for International Relations, Ministry of State for Administrative Development, Egypt 12.00 – 13.30 Round Table: The Mediterranean two years after the Arab Spring CHAIR: H.E. Mr. Carlo Maria Oliva – Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Italy to the OECD H.E. Mr. Abouyoub Hassan - Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Italy Mr. Alessandro Busacca - Deputy Director General, Principal Director for Global Issues and G8/G20 Processes, Italy Ms. Amani Essawi -Minister’s Assistant for International Relations, Ministry of State for Administrative Development, Egypt Mr. Gianni De Michelis - President of IPALMO FINAL REMARKS: Ms. Marta Dassù - Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Italy 13.30-14:30 Lunch The participants will then split into the following meetings: Launching of the MENA-OECD Network on Public Procurement Steering Committee Meeting of the Distance Learning for Innovative Public Sector (on 20 September) Launching Meeting of National Schools of Public Administration Conference languages: The conference languages are English, French and Italian. Simultaneous interpretation in these languages will be provided. Please note that background documents will be provided only in English and French. 3 MENA-OECD Network on Public Procurement Launching Meeting “Enhancing Integrity in Public Procurement” In the framework of the Deauville Partnership Governance Pillar Coordination meeting on 24 April 2012 the G8 and Partner countries called for the establishment of a public procurement network to assess compliance in partner countries against the OECD Principles on Enhancing Integrity in Public Procurement. The OECD Principles for Integrity in Public Procurement are a unique policy instrument to help countries prevent risks of waste, fraud and corruption throughout the entire procurement cycle, from needs assessment to contract management and payment. The DP action plan on open governance also calls G8 members, partner countries, and international organisations to provide technical assistance related to adopting best practices. Objectives of the first meeting of the Network In line with the conclusions of the DP meeting in April, the government of Italy, in cooperation with the OECD, has taken a lead in launching the MENA-OECD Network on Public Procurement”. The first meeting will support a dialogue amongst procurement practitioners to: 1. Share good practices and lessons learned in building transparent and efficient public procurement building on international good practice; 2. Identify needs for support in this area based on an assessment of procurement systems, first in transition countries against the OECD Principles. It would be broadened to other MENA countries; 3. Develop a road map for the Network, including its functioning, objectives and next steps. Participants The meeting will bring together a network of senior public officials and practitioners on public procurement from DP countries and beyond, including Middle East and North Africa, OECD countries as well as representatives from international organisations, including Multilateral Development Banks as well as bilateral donors. 14.30-16.00 Session 1: Promoting transparency in procurement to ensure a level playing field Transparency promotes a level playing field for businesses by attracting a higher number of potential suppliers. This contributes to better prices and possibly savings when governments buy goods, services and public works. Therefore countries recognise the need to provide: Transparent and readily accessible information on general laws, regulations, judicial decisions, administrative rulings, procedures and policies on public procurement; and Equal opportunities for participation of bidders through a competitive procedure, and the provision of consistent information to all bidders on the procurement opportunity. However transparency in procurement procedures has a cost for the administration and may sometimes results in less efficiency, when this results in long and burdensome procedures for purchasing goods and services. 4 During this session, countries will discuss lessons learned and good practices in implementing policies and measures that promote transparency while ensuring overall efficiency in public procurement. Co-Chairs of the session: H.E. Mr. Abderrahman Ladgham, Minister Delegate for Transparency and Fighting Corruption, Tunisia Mr. Carlos Conde, Head of Programme, Middle East and North Africa Governance Programme, OECD Presentation by each participant Keynote speaker: Mr. Domenico Casalino, CEO of CONSIP, Italy Discussion Questions for discussions: Which policy measures, tools and programmes have been successful in promoting transparency and accountability in public procurement? What were the conditions identified for their success? 16.00-16.30 Coffee break 16.30-18.00 Session 2: Professionalising the procurement workforce Public procurement has shifted from simply being an administrative function of buying services, goods and conducting public works for the public sector to a strategic function which supports: a) The effective and efficient management of public funds in the delivery of key public services such as health; b) Other policy objectives by promoting a conducive environment for SMEs participation, innovation and environmental protection. From this perspective, it is essential that public procurement is recognised as a dedicated profession which requires specific competencies, training and tools. During this session, participants will share their experiences in professionalising the procurement workforce. Chair of the session: Mr. Moncef Hamdi, Director General, Higher Commission for Procurement, Tunisia Speaker: Mr. Ahmed Benbarka, Tasyeer Training Center, Libya Questions and answers Speaker: Mr. Peter Reimer, Lawyer, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Netherlands Discussion Questions for discussions: Which policy measures, tools and programmes have been successful in professionalising the procurement workforce? When reflecting other considerations in procurement (such as SMEs participation, innovation, environmental protection), how can this be done in a transparent and non-discriminatory way? 20.30: Official Dinner 5 Thursday 20 September 2012 9.15-10.45 Session 3: Involving stakeholders: focus on SME’s To strengthen the legitimacy of reforms and ensure their effective implementation, governments should develop mechanisms to involve all stakeholders, in particular the private sector. Small and Medium Enterprises are a critical partner for governments as they are a key lever of innovation and job creation. SMEs face barriers that provide them with a competitive disadvantage to participate in tenders. Therefore governments are increasingly taking steps not only to facilitate access to public procurement but also to stimulate the innovation and growth potential of SMEs. Furthermore the private sector should be actively involved