Ms. Peseta Noumea Simi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Samoa
Intervention by Ms. Peseta Noumea Simi
CEO Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Samoa
Lead Discussant
10 – 1130 am, 14 July 2016, High Level Political Forum
Trusteeship Chamber, NEW YORK
We have heard this morning key messages from the panelists which converge on the centrality of statistics in the
monitoring of the SDGs given that statistics add value to the political discussion involved. Furthermore there has
been an underscoring of the importance of the close collaboration between the national statistics offices and other
key stakeholders. Therefore a clear governance structure for monitoring with the national statistics offices playing a
key role.
The panelists have focused on the importance of statistics in the monitoring process however my presentation will
reflect the importance of other issues and how we have considered these from the perspective of SIDS including my
country Samoa.
Challenges Common challenges include
Some SDG indicators were not relevant for Pacific
Islands or unable to be measured – need to
contextualize and localize. Determines basis for
prioritization based on need.
human and institutional capacity constraints – asking
for TA to assist with localisation
lack of ownership and political will – inclusive process
will promote ownership and commitment
lack of awareness and engagement of stakeholders –
ensure early open consultative process with all
stakeholders
lack of alignment with global and regional actions,
insufficient resources and capacities of resource
implementation,
lack of baseline data and capacities to collect and
analyse data, etc.
challenge of disaggregation of data if we are to ensure
that no one is left behind and that we inculcate the
importance of inclusivity
more efforts are needed to strengthen development
partner coordination and to strengthen aid
effectiveness tracking
Accessing public sources of finance is a persistent
challenge for us. We are often told that our projects
are too small to be funded. Other times, we are
blocked by burdensome application and reporting
requirements. Addressing these barriers must be an
integral part of partnership arrangements.
Good practices There is strong and consistent political and technical
leadership articulating clear and strategic plans linked
to regional and national resourcing using existing
regional and country mechanisms, institutions and
systems.
Developing national and regional roadmaps for the
implementation of the SDGs. The Pacific SDGs Roadmap is intended to guide the delivery of the directives of Pacific leaders, and outlines the steps to set regional priorities and indicators; integrate regional reporting and coordination mechanisms; assist member states requesting support to embed the SDGs into national planning; and identifying key elements for the successful implementation of the SDGs in the Pacific.
Focused on mainstreaming the SDGs into national development strategies and plans, budgets and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Mapping the common goals and commitments across the SDGs, SAMOA Pathway and Framework for Pacific Regionalism provides a solid starting point to confirm the region’s development priorities, especially in relation to transboundary issues (for example, Oceans, Climate Change, ICT, fisheries and trade). At the same time, member states are mapping national development priorities to the SDGs1, and this work will inform the regional indicators to cover common priority issues at the national level where regional actions can improve delivery, monitoring and reporting
Concrete actions to strengthen institutions and capacities for monitoring
The establishment of a national/regional SDG taskforce and use of regional peer review process to assist and strengthen country level reporting and national voluntary reporting at the HLPF.
Building and sustaining capacity in the development of statistical systems including data collection/analyses and utilization
Focus on deepening aspects of utilization of statistics such as properly analysing aspects of growth – inclusivity, vulnerable groups in society, social protection, etc. and the determination of the use of qualitative vs quantitative data
There is value in Tracking at both country level and regional level – where there are gaps at country level can be addressed at regional level. Builds solidarity of regional members towards successful implementation
Approaching the implementation of the SDGs using ‘nexus thinking’ so that there is recognition of the synergies – strengthens sectoral linkages for implementation and resource sharing
CEO Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Samoa
Lead Discussant
10 – 1130 am, 14 July 2016, High Level Political Forum
Trusteeship Chamber, NEW YORK
We have heard this morning key messages from the panelists which converge on the centrality of statistics in the
monitoring of the SDGs given that statistics add value to the political discussion involved. Furthermore there has
been an underscoring of the importance of the close collaboration between the national statistics offices and other
key stakeholders. Therefore a clear governance structure for monitoring with the national statistics offices playing a
key role.
The panelists have focused on the importance of statistics in the monitoring process however my presentation will
reflect the importance of other issues and how we have considered these from the perspective of SIDS including my
country Samoa.
Challenges Common challenges include
Some SDG indicators were not relevant for Pacific
Islands or unable to be measured – need to
contextualize and localize. Determines basis for
prioritization based on need.
human and institutional capacity constraints – asking
for TA to assist with localisation
lack of ownership and political will – inclusive process
will promote ownership and commitment
lack of awareness and engagement of stakeholders –
ensure early open consultative process with all
stakeholders
lack of alignment with global and regional actions,
insufficient resources and capacities of resource
implementation,
lack of baseline data and capacities to collect and
analyse data, etc.
challenge of disaggregation of data if we are to ensure
that no one is left behind and that we inculcate the
importance of inclusivity
more efforts are needed to strengthen development
partner coordination and to strengthen aid
effectiveness tracking
Accessing public sources of finance is a persistent
challenge for us. We are often told that our projects
are too small to be funded. Other times, we are
blocked by burdensome application and reporting
requirements. Addressing these barriers must be an
integral part of partnership arrangements.
Good practices There is strong and consistent political and technical
leadership articulating clear and strategic plans linked
to regional and national resourcing using existing
regional and country mechanisms, institutions and
systems.
Developing national and regional roadmaps for the
implementation of the SDGs. The Pacific SDGs Roadmap is intended to guide the delivery of the directives of Pacific leaders, and outlines the steps to set regional priorities and indicators; integrate regional reporting and coordination mechanisms; assist member states requesting support to embed the SDGs into national planning; and identifying key elements for the successful implementation of the SDGs in the Pacific.
Focused on mainstreaming the SDGs into national development strategies and plans, budgets and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Mapping the common goals and commitments across the SDGs, SAMOA Pathway and Framework for Pacific Regionalism provides a solid starting point to confirm the region’s development priorities, especially in relation to transboundary issues (for example, Oceans, Climate Change, ICT, fisheries and trade). At the same time, member states are mapping national development priorities to the SDGs1, and this work will inform the regional indicators to cover common priority issues at the national level where regional actions can improve delivery, monitoring and reporting
Concrete actions to strengthen institutions and capacities for monitoring
The establishment of a national/regional SDG taskforce and use of regional peer review process to assist and strengthen country level reporting and national voluntary reporting at the HLPF.
Building and sustaining capacity in the development of statistical systems including data collection/analyses and utilization
Focus on deepening aspects of utilization of statistics such as properly analysing aspects of growth – inclusivity, vulnerable groups in society, social protection, etc. and the determination of the use of qualitative vs quantitative data
There is value in Tracking at both country level and regional level – where there are gaps at country level can be addressed at regional level. Builds solidarity of regional members towards successful implementation
Approaching the implementation of the SDGs using ‘nexus thinking’ so that there is recognition of the synergies – strengthens sectoral linkages for implementation and resource sharing
Stakeholders