UNSDCF 2023-2027 Signing in Kiribati

Honourable Vice President Dr. Teuea Toatu

Officials of the Government of Kiribati

Officials of the UN and International Organisations

Officials of Civil Society

Officials of the Private Sector

Ladies & Gentlemen.

Mauri ! Good morning !

It is a privilege to be here with you today at the signing ceremony of the new Pacific UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027.

My travels in the Pacific have made it clear to me that there is a true potential in this region to improve the quality of life and to ensure that people have the choice to stay and create a future in their native lands.  That potential is a key reason why we are here today – particularly as we are ready to sign the UNSDCF 2023-2027.

It gives me great pleasure to present to you the UN Pacific Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 for your signature. This Framework, aligned with national and regional development priorities, will provide the basis for the United Nations system’s continued support to the Pacific nations towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across fourteen (14) Pacific Island Countries and Territories over the next five years.

For more than a decade, the Micronesian countries have lobbied for tailored support from the UN. Today, I am pleased to stand here with a mission to turn challenges into opportunities and develop partnerships and collaborations to benefit the people of this beautiful region.

The signing of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 is a testimony of the strong partnership between Kiribati and the UN and is the next step in our journey towards a sustainable future for the people of Kiribati.

The UNSDCF serves as the most important instrument for planning and provides the platform for the UN development activities in the country.

Over the next five years, the UNSDCF will help to leverage Pacific countries in four interlinked areas: Planet, People, Prosperity, and Peace, to ensure:

• • that no one is left behind,
  • that people are equal and free to exercise their fundamental rights,
  • to promote gender equality and peace,
  • and to enable nations and their communities to become resilient to existential threats allowing them to live in harmony within the blue continent.

Ultimately, our work aims to support the people of Kiribati to achieve a more prosperous and sustainable future, enabling all to make the choice to stay and ensure that no one is left behind in Kiribati.

I must acknowledge the contributions of our esteemed partners. The UNSDCF is indeed a result of months of consultations with key partners such as the Government, development partners, civil society organizations, and the Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific (CROP) agencies.

The signing of the UNSDCF, will allow us to take the next step towards rooting our aspirations in action at the country level, through the two-year Country Implementation Plans (CIPs). These will outline the UN programme of work in Kiribati and be developed in close partnership with the Government to ensure that national priorities are addressed.  

My team is also here to hold consultations with the government, civil society and UN agencies to kickstart work on the CIPs

I would like to close by thanking everyone for your active participation in the development of the UNSDCF and in today’s Joint Steering Committee. I would also like to express my personal thanks to Dr. Teuea Toatu, who has taken time out of his busy schedule to sign the UNSDCF.

I look forward to our continued collaboration during the implementation phase of the UNSDCF and the development of the CIPs to improve the development indicators of this beautiful region.

Thank you!