Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure development are special contractual arrangements between public and private entities that share risk and provide services over a period of often 30 to 40 years. They can provide Governments with resources, new technology and innovative management. If suitably used, they can greatly improve the quality and quantity of public services. However, they require a strong public sector that performs a new role with new skills, and specialized institutions that set out procedures and processes by which the public and private sectors can develop partnerships. In short, they require good governance.

Weak governance has often resulted in poorly constructed projects and a lack of transparency and accountability. This, in turn, has generated a backlash against the whole PPP concept.

To address this problem and strengthen the governance of PPPs, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has published a Guidebook on Promoting Good Governance in Public-Private Partnerships. The book sets out seven principles of good governance and shows how to apply them. Based on the book, a number of Governments have begun to develop their own PPP training programmes.

Using the Guidebook and training modules, in the Russian Federation the PPP Centre of the Vneschneconombank and the Moscow State University Higher School of Economics are developing certified training programmes for public administrations in PPPs.

The Regional School of Public Administration is also using the book in a PPP curriculum in South-East Europe.