March 2010: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Morocco hosted a global event on “Capacity is Development” from17-19 March 2010, in Marrakesh. The event brought together world and community leaders, including development practitioners, from the North and South to discuss policies, institutional reforms and investment decisions that have enabled capable States and societies to sustain human development.

The event focused on the capacity development policies and investments necessary to: impact progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); support post-conflict and fragile States to rebuild their countries; support capacity development strategies to contribute to ‘climate-proofing’ national development goals; and build resilience while reducing vulnerability to external shocks. The event aimed to better understand how investments in capacity development strengthen institutions and promote human development, and the value of strategic partnerships and South-South collaboration to strengthen institutional capacities.
Participants at the event developed a series of inputs that are also expected to feed into the High-Level Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be held in September 2010, focusing on institutional reforms and investments to build strong and capable institutions to achieve the national development goals, to promote climate-resilient development, and rapid and long-term recovery after conflict and disaster. [Event Website] [UNDP Press Release]