18.
The CRM to Mali commenced in December 2008 and was completed in January
2009. Those of Mozambique and Lesotho were fielded in the first quarter of
2009. The Panel of Eminent Persons is also striving to accommodate those of
Ethiopia and Zambia, and they will hopefully take place in the second half of
2009.
19.
If this momentum is sustained, the APR Panel should be in a position to ensure
that the current 28 member countries have been peer reviewed by 2013 or
2014, while not neglecting the second-phase reviews, at least in the pioneer
countries.
1.3
APRM Process
20.
The APRM consists of five interrelated stages, as elaborated in the Base Documents
adopted by the heads of states and participating governments of the APRM.
Stage One
21.
The first stage requires a country to establish structures for managing the
peer review process at a national level. These include designating a Focal
Point and establishing a National Governing Council (NGC) or a National Commission. The country is then required to undertake a comprehensive national
self-assessment involving all key stakeholders and grassroots constituencies.
The findings of the assessment have to be validated nationally and a Country
Self-Assessment Report (CSAR) is submitted to the APR Panel.
22.
The country undergoing review is required to use the findings of the CSAR to
prepare a draft NPOA, which must reflect broad civil society input. The NPOA
is then submitted to the APR Panel as an integral part of the CSAR.
23.
The primary purpose of the NPOA is to guide and mobilise the country’s effort
in implementing the necessary changes to improve its state of governance and
socioeconomic development. The NPOA is therefore the key input delivered by
the country into the peer review process. It serves to present and clarify the
country’s priorities; the activities undertaken to prepare and participate in the
APRM; and the nature of the national consultations. The NPOA also indicates
the responsibility of various stakeholders in implementing the programme.
These include the government, civil society organisations (CSOs), the private
sector, Judiciary, political parties, national assemblies, media, women, young
people, people with disabilities, trade unions, religious bodies, professional
bodies, corporate entities and organisations (private, public and informal), academia, and research institutions.
24.
As the country prepares its CSAR, including an NPOA, the APR Secretariat prepares a comprehensive background document on the country, drawing on
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A P R M COU N T RY R EV IEW R EP ORT NO. 11