Member States Exchange with Resident Coordinators

Excellencies, Ladies, & Gentlemen,

Good afternoon,

Or as we say in Pohnpei, the host of the new UN MCO Micronesia covering the five Micronesian countries of Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Kiribati. We say: Kaselehlie !

At this September’s High-Level week, the UN Secretary-General said: “Globally, we are witnessing that people are hurting - in both mind and body ... and our planet has gone from warming to boiling.”

This is visible in Small Island Developing States, or SIDS, where the impact of climate change—including related areas such as food security—represent the greatest security threat, and in the case of atoll nations such as the Marshall Islands, threaten their very existence. The 2023 Sustainable Development Report for SIDS describes their inherent characteristics, including remoteness, small land masses in large ocean territories, reliance on a single economic sector such as tourism or fisheries, high exposure to natural hazards, and limited access to health care and education. These characteristics render SIDS the most vulnerable countries in the world, economically, structurally, and environmentally. Just yesterday we saw major storm warnings and cyclone alerts issued for Micronesia and Fiji respectively, illustrating the tenet that the Pacific SIDS are the most vulnerable to environmental risks. These challenges are compounded by lack of data to inform development interventions, chronic government capacity gaps, and underfinancing of sustainable development. In short, SIDS – from the Caribbean to the Pacific – are currently lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of achieving the SDGs, with the Pacific Island nations firmly in last place.  

Although significant external financial and technical assistance is required to ensure that these island nations are not left behind, the urgency is clear to accelerate progress before the 2030 deadline. Their complex structural challenges are highlighted by the breadth of indicators considered in the new SIDS Multidimensional Structural Vulnerability Index (MSVI). An index that calls for integrated policy and programme approaches, and truly innovative development solutions to accelerate the SDGs. 

In response, I am proud to occupy the newest Resident Coordinator post - appointed in October 2021 - as part of the implementation of the MC Office Review. Based in FSM, my RC Office covers 5 countries in the North Pacific (Palau, FSM, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Kiribati) enabling us to gear up to deliver more effective and coherent UN development support.

There have been significant advances in UN’s engagement in the region during the two years since my office was established. I’m proud to report that the presence of UN entities increased from five (5) to thirteen (13) and UN programmatic scope broadened across all areas. The capacities in this office have made it possible to offer essential support services for UN staff deployment, thus promoting efficiency, transparency and integrated action. We have also designed a carbon neutral One UN Micronesia House concept that is awaiting for land to be allocated. A One UN House that will host at least 18 UN Organisations and more more than 100 staff. A design that is modern yet inspired by the history and culture of Micronesian countries.

Given the clear need for a whole-of society approach to enable effective SDG implementation, I am pleased to advise that the RCO enables me to convene diverse actors together, fostering partnerships, building trust, and leveraging resources to maximize community benefits.

The RCs of the Fiji and Samoa MCOs and I are collaborating seamlessly on the Pacific UN Sustainable Development Framework outlining agreed priorities with the governments and the UN system’s integrated development response. Post reform, the RCO is also serving as a gateway for collaboration and coordination with regional bodies, like CARICOM and the Pacific Islands Forum, along with their associated implementing arms.  

In the context of SIDS, the presence of new staff - Country Coordination Officers - across all countries covered by the MCO is mission-critical. They are critical as they ensure continuous dialogue with national government and other stakeholders, connecting them to global platforms and providing in-situ support to the non-resident development community. For instance, in Nauru, our Country Coordination Officer is only one of two staff on the ground.

The RCO plays a pivotal role in coordinating climate change initiatives, supporting local adaptation efforts, and ensuring that crucial funding reaches the most vulnerable communities. As such, together with the Fiji and Samoa MCO RCs, we have been leading a joint UN Climate Security Programme in the Pacific. An initiative funded by the Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by IOM and UNDP that targeted regional to community-based adaption in Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu.

We are also playing a pivotal role to improve climate and development financing in establishing partnerships that match innovative financing instruments, such as pooled funds, and other resources to integrated development solutions.  

A notable example includes the UN Micronesia’s Joint Digitalization programme. Being implemented across all five Micronesian countries, this programme was established to implement the 'Smart Islands’ initiative throughout the region. Supported by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented by a consortium of seven UN organisations, comprising of FAO, ILO, ITU, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNODC and UNOPS

Noteworthy, collaboration among three Multi-Country RCOs in Fiji, Micronesia, and Samoa was instrumental in supporting Pacific states in developing “Food Systems Pathways” by leveraging the Food Systems Summit and integrating these through cross-sector policies and planning.

Earlier, I highlighted the need for accurate and up-to-date data for effective integrated solutions. In this light, the UN RCO facilitates collective UN results reporting, and promotes analyses and the dissemination of reliable data, helping formulate evidence-based policies and programmes that are tailored to their unique context. It does so through the Data and Monitoring Officer enabling evidence-based programming and a more coherent UN approach. It also does so through an Economist, who also advised Kiribati in the run up to the Doha Conference earlier this year, helping them to articulate their position on LDC graduation.

Excellencies,

My tenure in the North Pacific has already shown that these investments in the Resident Coordinator’s System has helped source in more capacities. Capacities that are tailored to SIDS. Capacities that are an investment in the future of some of the most vulnerable nations, ensuring that their voices are amplified on the global stage, informing international policy discourse, and securing critical resources.

As we collectively prepare for the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Antigua this coming May, I urge you to prioritize and protect these investments.