The activities implemented by the ESCAP secretariat were related mainly to providing technical assistance requested through resolution 64/4. These activities were undertaken within the framework of a Development Account project entitled "Public-Private Alliance Programme for Capacity Building in Infrastructure Development and Provision of Basic Services", jointly implemented with ECE and ECA. The project has developed an integrated approach for the promotion of PPPs in infrastructure through awareness raising of senior policy makers, development of resource and training materials and organization of training activities.
The project has allowed the secretariat to assist many developing and transition economies to (a) increase their capacity and skills to identify, develop and implement PPP projects; (b) develop their PPP training capacity to deliver high quality training on PPPs; (c) introduce economic, institutional and policy reforms needed to support PPPs; and (d) promote South-South collaboration in capacity-building and providing technical assistance.
The project has contributed to raising high level of awareness at the decision making level concerning policy issues and creation of enabling environment for PPP development through the convening of intergovernmental forums and expert group meetings. Resource and training materials were developed and capacity-building activities were undertaken by organizing training workshops and online training courses. Study tours were also organized to assist public officials in gaining insights in developing PPP projects and first-hand knowledge in good practices. These capacity building activities have assisted many developing countries in the region to increase their capacities and skills to identify, develop and implement PPP projects.
Case studies on PPP process flow were commissioned with a view to contributing towards streamlining the PPP management process in Bangladesh, Philippines and the State of Maharashtra in India The project activities have assisted some countries to consider important policy, economic and institutional changes needed to support PPPs.
The project also considered the sustainability of the project outcomes and achievements made. In this respect, an Internet-based network has been established to facilitate exchange of information among the PPP units in governments and professionals in the region. A webpage on PPPs has been created, where the resource and training materials developed by ESCAP and information on PPP activities have been made available. The site has received a very large number of visits since its creation. The project has also promoted South-South collaboration in capacity-building and providing technical assistance. The training institutes and PPP units involved with the project has continued to use the resource and training materials developed by the project.