Building capacity for public-private partnerships

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Public sector resources alone cannot fulfill the development objectives of many countries. Yet the capacity of private sector in the development dynamics of countries remains hugely untapped. This is felt most acutely in the delivery of infrastructure projects.

Across emerging markets, much needed economic growth is hampered by a shortage of roads, mass rapid transit systems, telecommunications, power plants, sanitation, medical facilities, and other basic infrastructure, all of which are much needed to achieve sustainable development. However, funding the multitude of projects required in emerging markets is a huge challenge for governments that face budgetary constraints and limited borrowing capacity.

These conditions are encouraging governments to consider private investment as a promising option to circumvent their resource constraints and improve the delivery of public services – in particular, through public-private partnerships (PPPs). At the same time, many governments are also discovering that forging such partnerships is fraught with a number of difficulties.

Part of the reason is that PPP projects are quite complex to prepare, structure and transact, and usually require specialized skills not always available.

To address this, many governments are acknowledging the need for training to build up the skills and experience necessary to benefit from PPPs. This was reaffirmed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) PPP Survey, in which limited knowledge and capacity related to PPPs was identified as a major obstacle to PPP development in the respondents’ countries (see figure below).

Perceived obstacles to PPPs in the Asia-Pacific region


Recognizing these challenges, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) adopted at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development put capacity-building at the core of its agenda, including in the area of PPPs, and called for UN regional Commissions to mobilize their expertise.

In line with the AAAA, the ESCAP secretariat has developed a new tool to assist governments of the Asia-Pacific region in approaching PPPs.

The ESCAP E-Learning series on PPPs was launched in 2015 to provide a flexible and cost-efficient way of building capacity while reaching out to a large number of people. The series is part of the long-standing PPP program that the ESCAP secretariat has been implementing to support PPP activities that contribute to sustainable development. Under its program, ESCAP provides independent advocacy on PPP policy frameworks and facilitates the sharing of PPP experiences and best practices.

Consisting of six modules that cover major areas related to PPPs, the E-Learning series offers essential knowledge for government officials considering PPPs and is an ideal introduction to more advanced courses. The E-learning series can be accessed free of charge on the ESCAP website.

As part of this E-Learning series, the ESCAP Secretariat recently launched a new user-friendly test for policy-makers and others who involved in PPPs to assess their current knowledge on PPPs. Upon completion, participants receive a PPP Awareness Certification demonstrating their knowledge in this field. The test can be accessed and taken via the ESCAP website.

Check out the E-learning series today and tell us how you like it by leaving a comment below! 
 
 

Authors

Mathieu Verougstraete

Economic Affairs Officer, Financing for Sustainable Development Office, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations

Henri-Claude ENOUMBA
April 04, 2016

In my task Team we are involved in PPP to assess opportunities of financing under PPP policy frameworks. So it ils an opportunity offered to me to join ESCAP e- learning as from now. Best regards

Donnalee Donaldson
April 14, 2016

I previously completed the ESCAP course and received the PPP Awareness certificate. I thought it was a great introduction to the field, and was very easy to understand. I also found the presenters to be quite engaging. I'm currently working through the World Bank's PPP MOOC on Coursera. Though the course is closed, I am finding it to be a great 'next step' after the ESCAP course, in terms of introducing me to more complex material, and pointing me in the direction of more academic content.
As someone who is interested in the world of PPPs from an intellectual and professional perspective, I hope that the World Bank and its peer organizations continue to create more open source materials to aid with capacity development. I'd also suggest providing more information about paths to employment within the field. The accessibility of the material makes it easy for non-practitioners and students to learn more about the field. Once they have that knowledge, it would be helpful for them (us) to also know about pipelines to get more practically involved in this line of work.

Nekzad
June 06, 2018

want in a pdf format