The MENA-OECD Governance Programme supports public sector reform in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. Since its inception in 2003, the programme has helped the region to improve institutions for good governance through continuous policy review and reform.

The need to accelerate economic growth has been the primary impetus, but MENA governments are increasingly implementing reform to improve public sector performance and to meet citizens’ needs for higher quality education and health care, a safer and cleaner environment, and transparent and responsive government. Going forward, reforms will also be driven by equity and sustainability concerns.

This report offers a perspective on the progress made in public management in the MENA region since 2005. It reviews achievements in implementing public governance reform in nine areas: human resource management, public finance, integrity, regulation and law drafting, administrative simplification, e-government, public-private partnerships, gender, and water resource management. The report presents case studies on key policy reforms and outlines common characteristics across the region as well as the specific conditions and circumstances in MENA countries and economies.

Abbreviations and Acronyms
Executive Summary
Chapter 1. Overall Strategies for Public Governance Reform in the MENA Region
Chapter 2. Public Employment and Reform of Human Resources Management in MENA Countries
Chapter 3. Public Finance Management Trends in the MENA Region
Chapter 4. Enhancing Integrity in Public Administration
Chapter 5. Ensuring High Quality Regulation
Chapter 6. Cutting the Red Tape - Simplifying Administrative Procedures in the MENA
Chapter 7. Achievements in E-Government
Chapter 8. Ensuring the Efficient Use of Public-private Partnerships in MENA Countries
Chapter 9. Addressing Gender in Public Management
Chapter 10. The Challenges of Water Governance in MENA Countries
Conclusion - Where Next for the MENA-OECD Governance Programme? Lessons from the Review of MENA Public Governance Reform
Annex - Details of Case Studies Contained in this Report