Statement by the Republic of Maldives
on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States
ECOSOC Operational Activities Segment
22 February 2016
Panel 1: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: What are the implications for policy, programming and operational cooperation and coordination in the UN development system
I would like to begin by extending our condolences to the government and people of Fiji which was hit by Cyclone Winston, the most severe Cyclone to have hit Fiji in living memory causing extensive damage and loss of life, thus highlighting the vulnerability of SIDS to natural disasters.
Madam Moderator, Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues,
- I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). We align our remarks with those delivered by the Representative of Thailand on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
- Let me first thank the panelists for their insights on the issue of on the issue. Small Island Developing States have been raising the importance of implementation in a coordinated and coherent manner: not only because it is the most efficient and logical way to do things, but also because it reduces burden on countries such as SIDS, with limited resources. Too many forums, all working without coordination and coherence, leads to ineffective allocation of resources, duplicative meetings, and ultimately confusion and failure to deliver our agenda.
- The development frameworks we adopted in 2015 all highlight the importance of national level coordination; the importance of integrating and aligning the global frameworks with national development plans and strategies, within the context of each country’s specific circumstances. For SIDS this alignment also extends to our sustainable development “blue-print” the SAMOA Pathway, which outlines the specific and targeted sustainable development priorities for SIDS. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also takes note of this important aspect of substantive coherence.
- In addition to substantive coherence and coordination, we would like to also highlight the importance of institutional coherence. This is where strategic visioning comes into play. UN entities within countries, and at every level must work in coordination. And this is most effectively done through the UNDAF, which is developed collectively by the national government and the UN system.
- Service delivery in many SIDS is different from what is familiar to most of us. Multi-country offices, regional UNDAFs are being tested and tried in SIDS countries. While the benefits of this model of service delivery is a matter of another discussion, it undoubtedly requires a very different, targeted approach to service delivery and programme coordination. And a high degree of coordination and coherence is necessary in these cases.
- The G77 and China highlighted the need for capacity building for long term development. SIDS cannot agree more. Nowhere is the need for capacity greater than in SIDS where our small populations, remoteness and high dispersion have an impact on the development of national capacities. Much needed financing is more than often inaccessible due to cumbersome and rigid application processes.
- Again, let me highlight the example of multiple country offices, which usually have local teams in countries without a physical presence. However, these local teams are often not equipped with the information necessary and not trained with the UN systems and its unique bureaucracy, which in turn affects the service delivery. This needs to change especially in the wake of the new agendas.
- In conclusion, we would like to once again urge the importance of substantive and institutional coherence and coordination, the importance of investing in boosting national capacities and the importance of a targeted approach in designing programmes and policies for the most effective delivery of our collective vision of sustainable development. Thank you.
