Sixth Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (PFSD)

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen

Good morning!

Please allow me to thank ESCAP and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat for organizing this conference. One that is very timely.

Timely, as seven years have passed since we adopted the SDGs. That leaves us with about eight years to achieve its ambitious agenda.

It has not been easy the last few years. It is hard to see gains wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hard to see the hardship of Ukrainians at the receiving end of an unjust and unnecessary conflict. One that also impacted our SDG progress. And it is hard to see climate change impacting the quality of life of Pacific islanders. Especially those on low lying atoll islands. With COVID-19 in our mirror, we need to step our battle against the after-effects of this awful pandemic on our economies and on our societies.

In better understanding our SDG progress, I was pleased to note that in the Pacific, 11 countries[1] have already submitted their Voluntary National Reviews since the adoption of these SDGs. I hope others will follow soon.

You may wonder about Voluntary National Reviews or VNRs and why they are important.

First and foremost, a VNR is a UN member State’s SDG progress review that is voluntarily conducted within the nation’s sovereign territory. It is meant as a follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Secondly, VNRs need to be evidence-based. They must produce tangible lessons, solutions and commitments. They must be followed by concrete action and collaboration that drive the implementation of the SDGs.

Thirdly, VNRs are most meaningful when they are conducted through an inclusive, transparent and thorough review process.

So far, VNRs conducted by Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have highlighted some challenges, which cut across the Pacific region. These include, but are not limited to:

• • vulnerability to the impact of climate change and natural disasters;
  • high levels of unemployment, especially among youth;
  • violence against women and girls;
  • prevalence of non-communicable diseases; and,
  • access to quality water and sanitation.

You may have heard about the newly launched UN Pacific Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the next five years, from 2023 to 2027. This Cooperation Framework covers fourteen (14) Pacific Island Countries and Territories and is aligned with regional and national development priorities. Importantly, the Cooperation Framework, covers key issues and challenges highlighted through the VNRs in the Pacific.

In recognizing the challenges in completing VNRs, please note that the UN system is ready to support you. To assist countries in finalizing their VNRs. Relevant departments within your countries should not hesitate to contact our Offices accordingly.

Our Resident Coordinator’s Offices in the Pacific (Micronesia, Fiji and Samoa) are here to support you through the VNR process. Our UN Country Teams and UN agencies are ready to provide you with specific technical assistance to develop inclusive and transparent VNRs. Furthermore, we may be able to provide thematic support and coordination across the UN system. One that your respective countries may require.

In conclusion, I wish to emphasize that VNRs facilitate the sharing of experiences, challenges and lessons learned at the national, regional and global levels. They help accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. They do so while fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and strengthening a nation’s policy framework and institutional capacity.

It is my pleasure to note that the United Nations family is here to support you.

Thank you