This article was originally published by the Joint SDG Fund on their website.Equipped with state-of-the-art connectivity infrastructure, the Tonoas Smart Island Digital Hub is funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund and was officially launched at an event hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with support from the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Multi-Country Office (UNRCO MCO).“This Smart Island initiative is a symbol of what’s possible when technology, community and partnership come together. It’s a cornerstone of our vision for a more connected, more unified Micronesia," said the Federated States of Micronesia’s (FSM) President Wesley W. Simina at the launch of the hub.Already operational, the Tonoas Digital Hub aims to empower the community with tools to overcome geographic isolation and limited resources – including access to telemedicine, online learning, financial services and local governance. The initiative, a cornerstone of the FSM Smart Island Project, reflects a collaborative effort to foster digital inclusion, resilience and economic opportunity, setting a precedent for sustainable development across Micronesia’s outer islands.“UNOPS is committed to supporting FSM in building resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure,” said Tokumitsu Kobayashi, UNOPS Pacific Small Island Developing States Advisor.“By investing in connectivity and capacity-building, we are helping to lay the foundation for long-term social and economic benefits for the people of Tonoas,” added Tokumitsu Kobayashi.Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, said: "The newly launched digital hub in Tonoas Island, within the Federated States of Micronesia, will provide the community with vital access to digital services and skills-building opportunities, ensuring that no one is left behind.”The successful launch of the Tonoas Digital Hub demonstrates the tangible impact of digital innovation in enhancing community resilience. The initiative serves as a model for smart island development and aligns with the missions to build sustainable communities and improve lives through peace and sustainable development.

“The Council is stronger when it is more inclusive. Your voices: especially on climate change, sustainable development, and cultural rights; ground our deliberations in the realities people face every day.”
— Jürg Lauber, President of the Human Rights Council The President’s words echoed through the Kamorale Convention Centre as the morning sun broke over the hills of Palikir, Federated States of Micronesia. For three days, delegates from across the Pacific came together not simply to discuss human rights, but to reaffirm a shared identity, shared challenges and a shared future. This was the first LDCs/SIDS Pacific Regional Workshop ever held in the Micronesian subregion.The workshop was hosted in partnership with the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with support from the UN Resident Coordinator's Office Micronesia. Participants from Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu came together to strengthen Pacific Voices at the UN Human Rights Council. Set against the backdrop of a polarised global order of shrinking space for human rights, Micronesia and the Pacific region have emerged as strong defenders of multilateralism.Participants from the ten governments of Small Pacific Islands Developing States arrived at the workshop with different histories and perspectives, yet united by common priorities that have shaped generations: the urgency of climate justice, the pursuit of gender equality, ensuring progressive social and legal reforms while supporting rights-respecting traditions, social protection and mobility, and the enduring nuclear legacy.The workshop was formally opened by H.E. Wesley W. Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia; Jürg Lauber, President of the Human Rights Council; Heike Alefsen, OHCHR Regional Representative for the Pacific; Hui Lu, Secretary of the Human Rights Council, and Mr. Patterson Shed, Chief of Staff, Pohnpei State. Development partners Australia, Japan and the FSM Permanent Mission New York reaffirmed their commitment to the work of the HRC by attending the opening ceremony in Palikir. A Pacific region at the forefront of human rightsThe gathering came during an exceptionally active year for Pacific engagement with the human rights system. Fiji, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands underwent Universal Periodic Review of their human rights situation at the Human Rights Council; FSM, Nauru, Palau and Solomon Islands are preparing for theirs; and the region hosted UN Special Rapporteurs, notably the first mission to FSM by the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights.Small Islands Developing States across the Pacific are the least responsible for climate change but among the most affected. This is why the Human Rights Council’s adoption of its first resolution linking the ocean and human rights was another significant milestone, building on decades of leadership on ocean stewardship. Testimonials from former LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund beneficiaries were among the workshop’s most powerful moments. Many spoke of the profound impact of addressing the Human Rights Council for the first time. Participants also had the opportunity to directly engage with the President of the Human Rights Council on their countries most urgent human rights priorities:“For Pacific island nations like the Marshall Islands, climate change is not a future threat, but a present reality.” - Tamelia Rang, Human Rights Coordinator, RMI Ministry of Culture & Internal Affairs and LDCs/SIDS Workshop participant“The nuclear legacy is a human rights issue that not only affects the Republic of the Marshall Islands, but the entire Pacific region.” - Ariana Kilma, Chairperson, Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission and LDCs/SIDS Workshop participantThe exchanges reflected how the Trust Fund is opening doors for Pacific delegates, ensuring that voices shaped by frontline experiences help guide global decision-making. OHCHR’s Deepening work across the PacificThe workshop also shone a light on the long-standing work of the OHCHR in the Pacific, which has engaged with governments, civil society and communities in the region for two decades. With staff now based in Fiji, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Samoa, OHCHR works across:climate mobility and environmental protectiongender equality and the rights of women and girlsdisability rights and inclusive policy-makingmedia freedoms, cybercrime legislation and digital rightsjudicial independence, rule of law and support for democratic institutionsprotection of civic space and support to human rights defenderstorture prevention and law enforcement capacity-buildingcultural rights and traditional knowledgethe nuclear legacy and historical justiceThis work takes the form of legal advice, public education, training for civil servants, community dialogue, support for national human rights institutions and engagement with the UN system to integrate human rights across programming. In her opening address, OHCHR Regional Representative Heike Alefsen reflected on the Pacific’s commitment to multilateralism:“Over the past years, in the Pacific, we have been seeing an increase in engagement on leaving no one behind that embodies a human rights-based approach to sustainable development. We have also seen more requests from countries for support to working with human rights mechanisms, but we need the LDC/SIDS Trust Fund, our Office and the UN in the Pacific to be fully resourced to be able to continue this work."   Charting the Path ForwardOn the final day, participants drafted a set of forward-looking recommendations which will contribute to work under Human Rights Council Resolution 49/32. They centred on stronger national coordination, more consistent follow-up to recommendations, improved regional collaboration in Geneva, and sustained investment in capacity-building.Underlying these proposals was a shared belief that Pacific engagement must move beyond representation towards deeper implementation at national level. The goal is not simply to speak in global forums, but to ensure that what is said there translates into tangible improvements across Pacific communities.A Shared Commitment to Human DignityAs the workshop came to a close, the feeling was one of unity and resolve. The Pacific’s presence at the Human Rights Council has never been stronger, but sustained solidarity will be essential as the region continues to confront existential challenges and navigates a world where enabling space for human rights is shrinking.President Lauber’s closing reflection captured the spirit of the week:“From Palikir to the Palais des Nations, from the Pacific to the Alps, we are united by the same dignity, the same aspirations, and the same responsibility to make the Human Rights Council a home for all voices.”The seas, as the FSM Constitution reminds us, bring Pacific peoples together rather than divide them. This spirit of connection guided the workshop, and it is hoped that it will continue to shape the region’s human rights journey in the years ahead.
  

This article was originally published by UNSDG on their website.

In 2025, mental health has become the silent signal of our societies. A quiet battleground playing out in the privacy of our phones, our homes, our schools and our communities. The weight of a world upended by crises and climate change, along with instabilities and uncertainties, can sometimes prove too heavy to carry.Yet, this same signal is now turning into a siren- a rallying call across generations to forge stronger bonds and overcome polarisation, to build empathy for the other and to ensure that our collective struggles are met with the right solutions.Every year, World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a powerful reminder that inclusive and sustainable human development cannot be realised without mental health and well-being. Across the world, countries are making strides, recognising this as a right, not just a privilege. The UN has been steadily working alongside governments, civil society, youth leaders, academia and the private sector to lead these efforts.Youth leading the way for communitiesIn Palau, 18-year-old Dee-Raya Antonio is showing the power of youth advocacy. Once silenced by stigma, she now calls openly for conversations on mental health in schools and communities: “Mental health must be led by youth conversations. We need to speak, to share, to listen.” Her voice echoes a growing global movement of young leaders demanding safe, inclusive care for all. In countries across the Pacific like Palau and Kiribati, UN entities like WHO and UNICEF are rolling out mental health interventions, opening space for dialogue and training professionals to support young people in communities.Caption: Dee-Raya Antonio is now a leader in her community, sharing the importance of caring for one's mental health and well-being.Photo: © Dee-Raya Antonio
In Botswana, peer-led teen clubs are transforming lives. Adolescent youth living with HIV are finding strength in safe spaces where they can talk openly and receive support, thanks to a youth network backed by UNICEF.  
 
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the Caribbean also received a significant boost in the last year through an innovative partnership bringing together the UN, the University of the West Indies and Let’s Unpack It, a youth-led advocacy organization. The UNICEF-led partnership has launched youngcaribbeanminds.com, the region's first online youth mental health hub, providing over 100,000 users throughout the Caribbean with access to vital resources. This year, 42 children and youth from 23 countries co-authored a mental health workbook designed to support the mental health of young people in relation to climate change, natural hazards and child protection.  In Barbados, PAHO/WHO supported with Comprehensive School Mental Health Literacy Training and introduced the Lifeline Barbados Hotline to offer immediate crisis support. Additionally, technical expertise was provided to guide a multisectoral review and update of the national mental health framework, covering legislation, policies, and services, reflecting the country’s strong commitment to enhancing mental health and social protection systems.Caption: A boardgame developed under Young Caribbean Minds that acts as a resource to build skills and coping strategies for mental well-being.Photo: © Young Caribbean Minds Scaling up care in times of crisisCrises, whether natural disasters or conflict, often leave invisible scars. After the devastating earthquake in Türkiye, UN support provided care sessions and helped train staff at the Ministry of Family and Social Services and deliver community-based psychosocial services to those affected, including those living with mental disabilities, ensuring no one was left behind in the recovery. 
  
In Bangladesh, a UNFPA-supported helpline called “Alapon” is bringing mental health and reproductive health counselling to young people, particularly Rohingya youth in refugee camps. Staffed by trained counsellors, the service operates seven days a week, supporting callers on a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, puberty-related concerns, gender-based violence, and sexual and reproductive health. In 2025 alone, the helpline responded to more than 13,000 calls, including over 2,000 from boys and over 11,000 from girls, highlighting the growing trust adolescents and youth have in the service.Building stronger systems for mental health This kind of lasting change is moving beyond just services towards building strong national systems.  In Thailand, mental health services are now integrated into universal health coverage, bringing support directly into primary care and across a range of different services. Mental health is a national priority, as evidenced by the Cabinet’s resolution to commemorate the month of May as a “Mind month”. The country is working with UN agencies to bolster its capacity in the promotion of mental health and well-being, early detection of issues and crisis intervention. New digital tools, such as the WHO “Step-by-Step” program for at-risk mental health and the “Doing What Matters” self-help mental health promotion program, are integrated into the digital mental health platform available nationwide, potentially reaching 80 per cent of the Thai population with Internet access. Under the “WHO LIVE LIFE package”, a nationwide survey involving over 7,000 at-risk people and over 11,000 caregivers and relatives was conducted for an evidence-based national action plan on suicide. Moreover, the suicide surveillance system was strengthened, students in high-risk schools have received life skills training, first responders under the HOPE (Helpers Of Psychiatric Emergency) Taskforce have been trained, and media professionals were actively engaged to ensure responsible reporting on suicide using the developed guidelines.. In addition, UNICEF supported the development of a national action plan for children and adolescents. This framework brings together multiple sectors to prevent, promote, and respond to mental health challenges. In 2024 alone, UNICEF and partners trained 1,000 service providers across four provinces and screened 146,000 children for mental health illness.Caption: Engaging teachers and students to demonstrate practical ways to build conducive environments to encourage self-positivity and create safe spaces in Thai schools.Photo: © UNICEF Thailand/2023/Preechapanich Why this mattersMental health has direct impacts on education, employment and equality, yet for far too long, persistent stigma and poor services have made progress difficult. Now, the reality is clear: investing in mental health is investing in resilient societies.Bringing this closer to home, the UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Lestehas been spearheading a dedicated effort to prioritise staff well-being and mental health within the UN. By building skills and creating safe spaces, the Resident Coordinator’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping everyday dynamics and behaviours, as well as larger organizational policies, even through tumultuous times.Caption: UN Staff in Timor-Leste working together to identify strategies to manage staff well-being together.Photo: © UN Timor-LesteWhen it comes to mental health, we all have a role to play. Speak up, listen with empathy, and make sure every voice is heard. Keeping mental health at the heart of health and development means treating it and funding it as a true priority. Together, we can break the silence and build a world where mental well-being is not a privilege, but a right for all.     

This article was originally published by UNDP in their website. 

 In the Pacific, biodiversity is not a luxury — it is a lifeline. It feeds us, protects us, defines us. But safeguarding it requires more than policy declarations, it demands financing strategies that work for people and nature alike. That was the driving force behind the BIOFIN Pacific Inception Workshop, held from 7–10 July 2025 in Pacific Harbour, Fiji.Bringing together government officials from 15 Pacific Island Countries and Territories, the workshop officially launched the regional implementation of the GEF-8 funded Pacific BIOFIN Umbrella Programme, a landmark step toward designing and resourcing National Biodiversity Finance Plans that are actionable, inclusive, and grounded in country realities. The tone for the workshop was set from the outset.As Permanent Secretary for Fiji’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Sivendra Michael stated:“Biodiversity is not a luxury. It is the foundation of our economies, our food systems, our resilience, and our identity. If we fail to finance it properly, we are not just failing nature—we are failing ourselves.”From UNDP, Deputy Resident Representative Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov echoed this urgency:“This is not just a workshop, but this is the start of a new chapter for the Pacific. With BIOFIN, we are working together to unlock financing that reflects the true value of biodiversity. It is about bridging the gap between environmental protection and sustainable development.”From Global Goals to Local ActionThe workshop provided a hands-on learning space to demystify the BIOFIN methodology, explore the climate-finance-nature nexus, and develop first-year workplans tailored to each country’s priorities.  It was jointly facilitated by technical experts from the UNDP BIOFIN Global Initiative, the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, the UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office, and the UNDP PNG Country Office, reflecting a whole-of-region approach to biodiversity finance.Participants engaged in practical sessions on Policy and Institutional Reviews, Biodiversity Expenditure Reviews, and Finance Needs Assessments and Biodiversity Finance Plan which allare all key pillars in unlocking and sustaining biodiversity finance.A consistent thread emerged: Pacific countries are ready to lead.“BIOFIN challenges us to think beyond frameworks, to make biodiversity finance real, practical, and inclusive for our communities”, said Kiribati’s Director of Environment and Conservation, Nenenteiti Ruatu.On Day 3, participants traveled to Naidiri Marine Park in Nadroga which a shining example of community-led conservation. Guided by local leaders, the visit offered more than just scenery, but it reminded delegates that finance must flow to where stewardship already exists. Protecting biodiversity is not only about preserving species, but also about supporting the communities that rely on it daily.“Seeing how communities, like Naidiri Village finance their own biodiversity initiatives was eye-opening. It’s something we can take back and build into our national systems.”— Julia Marango, Project Development Officer, Ministry of Climate Change, VanuatuThis message echoed strongly in discussions: finance mechanisms must be people-centered, flexible, and rooted in the Pacific’s customary governance systems.Financing the Future, TogetherThe BIOFIN Pacific Programme is made possible through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and co-financing from the European Union, Flanders State of the Art, and the Governments of Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Their partnership signals strong trust in Pacific leadership and a commitment to close the biodiversity finance gap.“Biodiversity must be a government priority. We need clear plans, strong focal points, and resources that reach our communities.” 
— Simione Tokai, Principal Economist, Ministry of Finance, Tonga“We face unique financing challenges on remote islands. BIOFIN helps us identify our gaps and work together to close them.” 
— Rosalind Yatilman, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency, FSMA Preliminary report from the workshop revealed that while 71 percent of participants felt reasonably confident in leading biodiversity finance planning, many requested further technical support. Key concerns included institutional fragmentation, capacity gaps, and timeline misalignment with national planning cycles.However, the energy in the room and on the reef, pointed to a region rising to meet the challenge.Pacific Values, Global VisionThe Pacific BIOFIN workshop reaffirmed that financing biodiversity is not only a scientific or economic task, but also a cultural and moral one. Participants repeatedly emphasized that framing matters (“tied to livelihoods, not losses”), language matters (“simple, contextual, clear”), and above all, leadership matters — not just from ministries, but from local champions and communities.As countries start developing their Biodiversity Finance Plans (BFPs), many are aligning these plans with their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), particularly Targets 15, 16, 18, and 19. They are also integrating their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national budget frameworks to ensure that biodiversity is mainstreamed into broader development agendas.The workshop was also a reminder that real transformation happens beyond the venue.  As Professor Andrew Seidl, Senior Technical Advisor for the UNDP BIOFIN Initiative, shared:“It’s a very exciting time for BIOFIN in the Pacific. Once folks go home and recharge, the real work begins — rolling up sleeves, finishing the stakeholder maps, completing the assessments, and connecting BIOFIN to other regional efforts.The Pacific faces unique challenges, but these are also opportunities. Any solution for biodiversity finance here must also address climate adaptation, gender equity, and the stewardship roles of coastal communities. BIOFIN can offer a new platform and a new way of thinking — but it must be done by people on the ground.” Building on this, Merewalesi Laveti, Team Leader (a.i) for Resilience and Climate Change at UNDP Pacific, reinforced the importance of country ownership:“This workshop was just the beginning. What matters now is how we turn shared learning into lasting action. The Pacific is not starting from scratch — we have deep knowledge, strong partnerships, and communities already leading the way. BIOFIN gives us the tools to bring it all together, to design finance solutions that are grounded, inclusive, and built for impact.”What Comes NextThe workshop concluded with country teams drafting their initial plans, joining a new Pacific BIOFIN Community of Practice, and committing to regular peer learning. The momentum now shifts to national implementation: embedding BIOFIN tools in government systems, engaging stakeholders across sectors, and developing finance solutions, from community trust funds to green and blue bonds.This work also gains renewed legal and moral weight in light of the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate change. The ICJ reaffirmed that states have clear obligations under international law to protect ecosystems, prevent environmental harm, and safeguard the rights of present and future generations.  For Pacific Island Countries, which are at the frontline of both biodiversity loss and climate impacts, this opinion underscores the urgency of financing nature as a cornerstone of climate justice. For further enquiries, please contact:Risiate Biudole, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, risiate.biudole@undp.org