Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS)
PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
United Nations Member States
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations
801 Second Avenue, Third Aoor
New York, N.Y. 10017
Phone: +1 (21 2) 937 · 0074
Fax: + I (212) 937 . 0079
E-mail: psids.oy@gmail.com
Intervention by the Pacific Small Island Developing States
At the High-Level Political Forum: Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing
world-taking forward the SAMOA Pathway
Wednesday, 12 July 2017 3:00PM-4:30PM, New York
Thank you for the floor, Mr. Moderator,
And acknowledging the presence of the Minister of Labour of Jamaica and the Minister of
Health for Samoa. At the outset, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the 12 Pacific Small
Island Developing States. We thank all of the panelists and discussants for their en lightening
presentations. We welcome the conversations t hat have just taken place. What we have heard
so far in today's discussion underscores many of the unique challenges faced by Pacific Small
Island Developing States, and reminds us why SIDS are a "Special Case" for sustainable
development.
We therefore welcome today's panel discussion and thank the President of ECOSOC, especially
in light of our calls for the High-Level Political Forum to devote adequate time to discussion of
the sustainable challenges facing SIDS in order to enhance engagement and implement the
commitments called for in the SAMOA Pathway. This body remains an important means for
follow up, monitoring, and accountability of commitments made to SIDS, and for establishing
linkages between those commitments and the 2030 Agenda, as well as the Addis Ababa Action
Agenda.
Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity is a cornerstone priority of the SAMOA Pathway.
The burden of non-communicabl e diseases remains a striking challenge to health in t he Pacific,
and one that stands at a nexus with efforts to improve our food security, given the role poor
nutrition plays in driving this trend.
Indeed, the challenge extends beyond health with health outcomes and expenditures
representing a major drag on Pacific economic growth and broader prosperity.
We welcome the work, started in the SAMOA Pathway launched last week by the Food and
Agricu lture Organization to create the Global Action Programme on Food Security and Nutrit ion
in Small Island Developing States, and we ca ll on our partners to assist us in ensuring its fu ll
implementation.
1
Mr. Moderator,
Regional efforts are underway to mainstream the SDGs-and the SAMOA Pathway-into the
national development plans of the PSIDS. However, one persistent challenge that remains is in
the field of data collection. High-quality data remains critical, and a challenge given the unique
economies and geographies of SIDS. With the global indicator framework now adopted, we
reiterate our calls for strengthened support for SIDS in the field of data collection and use.
Mr. Moderator,
We would also like to use this moment to highlight the importance of our ocean to the
sustainable development in the Pacific. Ocean based resources are critical not only for food
security in SIDS, but for our sustainable development. Oceans and Seas feature prominently in
the SAMOA Pathway. We welcome the recently concluded United Nations Oceans Conference,
and support carrying forward its Call for Action as well as the Voluntary Commitments made.
We must carry forward this momentum, and we welcome the segment at this HLPF on followup
and review of implementation of SDG-14.
Mr. Moderator,
The SAMOA pathway called for an increase in all forms of partnership with and for SIDS. That
call prominently included the United Nations System. With the Joint Inspection Unit of the
United Nations having completed its report on UN System Support for SIDS, and with
implementation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review moving forward, now is the
time to ensure that reform of the UN Development System ensures that it is able to work for all
of its members, including SIDS. We will move forward in ensuring that all of the findings and
recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit report are fully implemented.
Finally, Mr. Moderator,
A discussion of the sustainable development of SIDS cannot overlook the challenges posed by
climate change. It is an existential threat, and a mounting security challenge. We reiterate our
call for the appointment of a Special Representative on Climate and Security, in order to ensure
that the UN System has the tools to respond to these challenges, not just for SIDS but for all.
I thank you.
2
United Nations Member States
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations
801 Second Avenue, Third Aoor
New York, N.Y. 10017
Phone: +1 (21 2) 937 · 0074
Fax: + I (212) 937 . 0079
E-mail: psids.oy@gmail.com
Intervention by the Pacific Small Island Developing States
At the High-Level Political Forum: Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing
world-taking forward the SAMOA Pathway
Wednesday, 12 July 2017 3:00PM-4:30PM, New York
Thank you for the floor, Mr. Moderator,
And acknowledging the presence of the Minister of Labour of Jamaica and the Minister of
Health for Samoa. At the outset, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the 12 Pacific Small
Island Developing States. We thank all of the panelists and discussants for their en lightening
presentations. We welcome the conversations t hat have just taken place. What we have heard
so far in today's discussion underscores many of the unique challenges faced by Pacific Small
Island Developing States, and reminds us why SIDS are a "Special Case" for sustainable
development.
We therefore welcome today's panel discussion and thank the President of ECOSOC, especially
in light of our calls for the High-Level Political Forum to devote adequate time to discussion of
the sustainable challenges facing SIDS in order to enhance engagement and implement the
commitments called for in the SAMOA Pathway. This body remains an important means for
follow up, monitoring, and accountability of commitments made to SIDS, and for establishing
linkages between those commitments and the 2030 Agenda, as well as the Addis Ababa Action
Agenda.
Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity is a cornerstone priority of the SAMOA Pathway.
The burden of non-communicabl e diseases remains a striking challenge to health in t he Pacific,
and one that stands at a nexus with efforts to improve our food security, given the role poor
nutrition plays in driving this trend.
Indeed, the challenge extends beyond health with health outcomes and expenditures
representing a major drag on Pacific economic growth and broader prosperity.
We welcome the work, started in the SAMOA Pathway launched last week by the Food and
Agricu lture Organization to create the Global Action Programme on Food Security and Nutrit ion
in Small Island Developing States, and we ca ll on our partners to assist us in ensuring its fu ll
implementation.
1
Mr. Moderator,
Regional efforts are underway to mainstream the SDGs-and the SAMOA Pathway-into the
national development plans of the PSIDS. However, one persistent challenge that remains is in
the field of data collection. High-quality data remains critical, and a challenge given the unique
economies and geographies of SIDS. With the global indicator framework now adopted, we
reiterate our calls for strengthened support for SIDS in the field of data collection and use.
Mr. Moderator,
We would also like to use this moment to highlight the importance of our ocean to the
sustainable development in the Pacific. Ocean based resources are critical not only for food
security in SIDS, but for our sustainable development. Oceans and Seas feature prominently in
the SAMOA Pathway. We welcome the recently concluded United Nations Oceans Conference,
and support carrying forward its Call for Action as well as the Voluntary Commitments made.
We must carry forward this momentum, and we welcome the segment at this HLPF on followup
and review of implementation of SDG-14.
Mr. Moderator,
The SAMOA pathway called for an increase in all forms of partnership with and for SIDS. That
call prominently included the United Nations System. With the Joint Inspection Unit of the
United Nations having completed its report on UN System Support for SIDS, and with
implementation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review moving forward, now is the
time to ensure that reform of the UN Development System ensures that it is able to work for all
of its members, including SIDS. We will move forward in ensuring that all of the findings and
recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit report are fully implemented.
Finally, Mr. Moderator,
A discussion of the sustainable development of SIDS cannot overlook the challenges posed by
climate change. It is an existential threat, and a mounting security challenge. We reiterate our
call for the appointment of a Special Representative on Climate and Security, in order to ensure
that the UN System has the tools to respond to these challenges, not just for SIDS but for all.
I thank you.
2
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