[Index]
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PILOTS TO BE LAUNCHED
Powerful Group of Regional Leaders Will Guide a Successful Project
Implementation
Geneva, 31 May 2001
A special meeting of the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europes Expert Group on Public Private Partnership
(PPPs) has agreed to work with governments to develop pilot projects in
infrastructure. The purpose of this agreement is to showcase to countries in South East
Europe and other transition economies the potential of PPPs and to facilitate dialogue
between the private and public sectors that is essential for their success.
Leading experts on PPPs from all over the world resolved to implement a
programme under which governments will propose a few infrastructure projects to the UNECE
Expert Panel. The Expert Panel will select one from these submissions. This will be
developed as a pilot project. By adopting this innovative method, the Group seeks to
accelerate the delivery of successful PPPs into the market place. The UNECE Expert Panel
is made up of businesspeople, project managers, bankers, legal experts and leading
government officials, and they will select the project based on criteria they have set
forth and to help facilitate the progress of the PPP into fruition. The UNECE Group will
at the same time ensure that the social and environmental objectives of PPPs are
encouraged and that principles of transparency, good governance and fair business are
respected in developing PPPs in the region.
The Expert Group was founded in 1995 by the UNECE to produce guidelines
and has held numerous high level consultations with Governments on developing PPPs. It
works closely with the EBRD and international bodies such as UNIDO, UNCITRAL, ITU and the
FAO and regional initiatives such as the CEI and BSEC. PPPs, which harness the resources
of industry to help countries meet their infrastructure needs, have had tremendous success
and a long history in a number of countries such as France, Sweden and the U.K. The UNECE
is promoting their use now in the areas of Central and South Eastern Europe, where the
need for energy, water and transportation is very critical. It has also launched under the
auspices of the OECD and the UK Government, a Regional Flagship Initiative to promote PPPs
within the Investment Compact of the Stability Pact for southeast Europe. A PPP Alliance
will be established to promote this dialogue which will be open to all governments and the
private sector.
Ms. Corinne Namblard, chairwoman of the UNECE BOT
(Build-Operate-Transfer) Group and a director of one of Frances leading financial
institution Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations declared:
"The private sector is faced with a challenge. It is clear that
PPPs will not develop at the pace we should all expect until governments from western and
eastern Europe actually commit to involving the private sector in infrastructure projects.
The UNECE PPP Alliance will be an important vehicle to gain a better understanding of
mutual benefits to each of the public and private sector, to ease unnecessary antagonism
and renew this necessary political will within the seat of government."
Ms. Larissa Kaptisa, Director of the UNECE Coordinating Unit for her
part said;
"PPPs are one of the most exciting ways to address the major
challenges of infrastructure development which are facing almost all transition economies.
Unfortunately, the development of these projects, given the needs, has been slower than
anticipated and slower than other regions in the world. The UN is committed to working in
partnership with the private sector to reverse this trend in all the transition economies.
By promoting partnership, we are operationalising the initiative of the
UN Secretary-General in the Global Compact and implementing the objectives of the UN
Millennium Summit."
The Group will be requesting potential projects from governments in the
coming months and will continue to serve in its advisory and training role while
conducting the process. Interested parties wishing to join the Alliance can obtain
information from the UNECE PPP website.
For more information please contact the PPP Alliances new website:
http://www.ppp-group.net
and
Mr. Geoffrey Hamilton
Regional Advisor
Coordinating Unit for Operational Activities
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations, Bureau 433
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 917 2838
Fax: +41 22 917 0178
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org/operact/
Ref: ECE/OPA/01/04