NEPAD/HSGIC-03-2003/APRM/Guideline/OSCI 9 March 2003 1.3 The overarching goal of the APRM is for all participating countries to accelerate their progress towards adopting and implementing the priorities and programmes of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), achieving the mutually agreed objectives and compliance with best practice in respect of each of the areas of governance and development. This can only be achieved through the sustained efforts of the country itself, involving all stakeholders. It requires that each country carefully develops a Programme of Action with time bound objectives and linked to national budgets to guide all stakeholders in the actions required by all – government, private sector, civil society – to achieve the country’s vision. 1.4 However, given the differences of historical context and stages of development, countries will start from different base lines and will not be expected to reach their highest level of performance at the same time. The rate of progress will also depend critically on the level of commitment and political will of each country to take deliberate steps to realise its vision. Participating countries will encourage and support each other and exercise constructive peer dialogue and persuasion where necessary to ensure that all countries achieve full compliance by a mutually agreed date. 1.5 The participating countries will agree on goals and objectives to be achieved in respect of each of the areas covered by the APRM and about information to be shared. They will also agree on time frames of achieving the goals and objectives for each country or category of countries taking into account the situation at the time when the base review is conducted. 1.6 Sharing of information will focus on mutual learning in areas of high priority in NEPAD such as strengthening institutions of democracy and human rights, improving budgeting and financial management, fighting corruption, Page 2 of 31

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