Your Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Asim, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maldives,Your Excellency, Ambassador Cardi, who is representing Mr. Vincenzo Amendola, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Italy,Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS),Excellencies,Distinguished Delegates,Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to join you today at this first annual Global Multi-stakeholder Small Island Developing States Partnership Dialogue.
I would like to thank Maldives and Italy for convening this meeting.
The SAMOA Pathway, the blueprint for achieving sustainable development in SIDS, was adopted two years ago in Samoa, at the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States.
I had the privilege to act as the Conference Secretary-General.
Just one year later, world leaders came together and adopted the historic 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets at its core.
The 2030 Agenda reaffirms the special challenges SIDS face in pursuit of their sustainable development.
The decision to make partnerships the overarching theme of the SIDS Conference in 2014, as well the establishment of the SIDS Partnership Framework in December 2015, as a follow-up to the Conference, opens a new era in multilateral cooperation.
It has ensured that partnerships for Small Island Developing States – driving their sustainable development – will bring about results on the ground in SIDS.
Maldives and Italy, in their capacity as co-chairs of the Steering Committee for Partnerships for SIDS, have shown remarkable leadership in this first year, diligently guiding the launch phase of the work.
I am inspired by their commitment to SIDS.
I am also gratified to see UN partnership in action. DESA, OHRLLS and indeed the entire UN system have been actively engaged in advancing SIDS partnerships.
I can assure you that this partnership will grow stronger, the more we work together.
Excellencies,
This first annual Global Multi-stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue will focus on the launch of new partnerships devoted to SIDS, and the announcement of new commitments from existing SIDS partnerships.
It is worth recalling that during the SIDS Conference in Samoa, some 300 SIDS partnerships were announced. Many of these partnerships show considerable impact on the communities they serve.
Looking around this room, I see representatives from governments, the UN system and civil society – a true testament to the multi-stakeholder approach needed to spur action for the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States.
I am very confident that we are on the right track and I look forward to the announcements of new SIDS partnerships and commitments.
Excellencies,
At this special occasion, I am pleased to announce the launch of the first edition of a Publication on Partnerships for SIDS, which brings together a broad range of partnership initiatives that are advancing the SAMOA Pathway.
The publication features 40 partnerships, addressing a range of issues for partnerships working in SIDS – many success stories, but also some challenges.
Upon reading this publication, you will see that there is much good work being done across all regions of SIDS through innovative partnership arrangements, as well significant challenges to overcome.
Copies of the publication are available for you here today.
Excellencies,
Looking ahead, we must maintain the momentum for action throughout 2016 and beyond.
The follow-up of the SAMOA Pathway is also an integral part of the High-level Political Forum, which is the central platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In 2017, the HLPF will review, in depth, 6 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 17, which is cross cutting and will be reviewed each year.
Also, just ahead of the HLPF in 2017, the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development, will be held in New York, under the leaderships of Fiji and Sweden.
The Conference will feature 7 partnership dialogues, inspired by the Samoa Conference.
Partnership is the only way to future sustainability - across SIDS regions and indeed across the world.
We stand ready to work with you all.
Thank you.
I am pleased to join you today at this first annual Global Multi-stakeholder Small Island Developing States Partnership Dialogue.
I would like to thank Maldives and Italy for convening this meeting.
The SAMOA Pathway, the blueprint for achieving sustainable development in SIDS, was adopted two years ago in Samoa, at the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States.
I had the privilege to act as the Conference Secretary-General.
Just one year later, world leaders came together and adopted the historic 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets at its core.
The 2030 Agenda reaffirms the special challenges SIDS face in pursuit of their sustainable development.
The decision to make partnerships the overarching theme of the SIDS Conference in 2014, as well the establishment of the SIDS Partnership Framework in December 2015, as a follow-up to the Conference, opens a new era in multilateral cooperation.
It has ensured that partnerships for Small Island Developing States – driving their sustainable development – will bring about results on the ground in SIDS.
Maldives and Italy, in their capacity as co-chairs of the Steering Committee for Partnerships for SIDS, have shown remarkable leadership in this first year, diligently guiding the launch phase of the work.
I am inspired by their commitment to SIDS.
I am also gratified to see UN partnership in action. DESA, OHRLLS and indeed the entire UN system have been actively engaged in advancing SIDS partnerships.
I can assure you that this partnership will grow stronger, the more we work together.
Excellencies,
This first annual Global Multi-stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue will focus on the launch of new partnerships devoted to SIDS, and the announcement of new commitments from existing SIDS partnerships.
It is worth recalling that during the SIDS Conference in Samoa, some 300 SIDS partnerships were announced. Many of these partnerships show considerable impact on the communities they serve.
Looking around this room, I see representatives from governments, the UN system and civil society – a true testament to the multi-stakeholder approach needed to spur action for the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States.
I am very confident that we are on the right track and I look forward to the announcements of new SIDS partnerships and commitments.
Excellencies,
At this special occasion, I am pleased to announce the launch of the first edition of a Publication on Partnerships for SIDS, which brings together a broad range of partnership initiatives that are advancing the SAMOA Pathway.
The publication features 40 partnerships, addressing a range of issues for partnerships working in SIDS – many success stories, but also some challenges.
Upon reading this publication, you will see that there is much good work being done across all regions of SIDS through innovative partnership arrangements, as well significant challenges to overcome.
Copies of the publication are available for you here today.
Excellencies,
Looking ahead, we must maintain the momentum for action throughout 2016 and beyond.
The follow-up of the SAMOA Pathway is also an integral part of the High-level Political Forum, which is the central platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In 2017, the HLPF will review, in depth, 6 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 17, which is cross cutting and will be reviewed each year.
Also, just ahead of the HLPF in 2017, the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development, will be held in New York, under the leaderships of Fiji and Sweden.
The Conference will feature 7 partnership dialogues, inspired by the Samoa Conference.
Partnership is the only way to future sustainability - across SIDS regions and indeed across the world.
We stand ready to work with you all.
Thank you.
File date:
Thursday, September 22, 2016