1) Evaluation systems in developed countries are more mature, with strong evaluation cultures existing in many OECD countries due to democratic systems, empirical traditions, and trained civil servants.
2) A strong evaluation culture is characterized by widespread evaluation, trained evaluators, professional evaluation societies, and institutional arrangements for conducting and disseminating evaluations.
3) Evaluation in developing countries faces challenges like weak political will and difficulties with inter-ministerial cooperation, but is growing in importance for achieving goals like the Millennium Development Goals.
4) Emerging issues like globalization, conflict, and governance reforms have implications for evaluation, requiring indicators and assessments of new areas like post-conflict reconstruction, corruption, and investment climate.