DESA’s Division for Policy Development and Analysis (DPAD) carries out capacity development activities in many countries across the globe. In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, representatives of key ministries and state agencies are participating in the training on the use of integrated macro-micro modeling framework to identify and assess human development strategies for timely achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Differences in initial conditions, different historical experiences among countries, the recent global economic downturn, and high energy and food prices have led to an uneven outcome in achieving the MDGs. DPAD has therefore collaborated with UNDP to support national governments in evaluating existing national development strategies and designing policy alternatives to help in reaching their goals.
The object of the training in Bishkek is to strengthen the capacity of policymakers in anticipating and mitigating the impact of new external adversities that may affect the MDGs, including the global economic crisis, high food and energy prices, drops in export demand and declines in worker remittances. The simulations are based on the economic-wide model called Maquette for MDGs Simulations (MAMS) complemented with sectoral methodologies on the socio-economic determinants of MDG achievement.
This project has resulted in positive feedback and comments from trainers and participating Kyrgyzstan policymakers.
“No other available analytical tool has the same qualities as this one. Another distinct feature of it is the composition of participants, including both representatives of government agencies and research organizations. This allows us to count on increase in sustainability of the training results and fruitful interaction of practitioners and researchers,” said one of the trainers, Roman Mogilevsky.
Zina Batyrbekova, Head of Department for economic analysis and forecast under the Ministry of Economy and Anti-trust Policy, also underscored its relevance “the model covers the entire economy and allows to prepare analytical materials for development of coherent macro-economic, social policies and strategies, correlation between macro-indicators and social indicators: it provides an opportunity to assess what is needed to achieve the set goals, to see if we know how much it will cost us and if we are able to achieve the goals in the set or desired timeframe…”
Kyrgyzstan has participated in DPAD’s capacity development and advisory activities since 2008 and the projects are implemented with support from the Ministry of Economic Regulations. Working in close collaboration with the UNDP country office for administrative support, DPAD will complete the training in March 2013.
