Mr. Wu Hongbo Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Secretary-General for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development

Informal Stock-taking event of ECOSOC on the Third International Conference on
Small Island Developing States

1 October 2014, New York

Your Excellency Martin Sadjik,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I want to start by thanking the President of the Economic and Social Council for convening this informal stock-taking event of the SIDS Conference.

This event affords a timely opportunity to examine the outcomes of the SIDS Conference in a global setting that is increasingly characterized by multiple, interlocking challenges. 

This event is also sending a strong signal to the world – that the United Nations takes seriously its role in the follow-up to the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States.

Mr. President,

I was fortunate to have served the SIDS Conference in my capacity as the Conference Secretary-General. 

From the very beginning, the General Assembly envisaged the SIDS Conference to be an inclusive and pragmatic process, featuring the overarching theme of genuine and durable partnerships, with SIDS and their partners actively engaged in the preparatory process. 

This commitment allowed delegations to reach consensus on the outcome document during the preparatory process – an unprecedented achievement in UN intergovernmental process. It also allowed delegations in Samoa to focus on partnership initiatives and actions.

This achievement offers important lessons in leadership, participation and partnership. 

I want to take this opportunity to once again express our deep appreciation to the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee and its Co-Chairs and Co-Facilitators and to the leadership of our host, the Government and people of Samoa.  I also want to thank delegations for working tirelessly during the PrepCom to reach consensus on the outcome document.

Mr. President,

The SIDS conference was characterized by great enthusiasm among delegates, UN colleagues, business and civil society participants. It is considered the biggest international conference ever held in the Pacific SIDS. It brought to Apia more than 20 Heads of State and Government, and close to 100 Ministers. Over 2300 participants from Member States, UN system, Major Groups and Media attended the Conference, along with a significant number of participants from local communities.

Some 300 partnerships for SIDS were registered on the Conference website, of which some 100 were launched during the Conference. Our preliminary estimate of the total value of these partnerships is close to $1.9 billion. They are an integral part of the Conference’s outcomes and a legacy with impact on the ground. 

Excellencies,

The success of the Conference will also be measured by its follow-up and its future impact on the sustainable development of SIDS.

To this end, we at the Secretariat have already embarked on the implementation track.

Let me highlight a few actions that my Department has already initiated.

First, we are preparing an implementation matrix to map out the specific roles and tasks of UN system organizations. This will help to ensure that SIDS priorities are effectively addressed in the strategic frameworks and programme activities of these organizations.

In this regard, we are also planning to undertake a comprehensive review of UN system support to SIDS, as mandated in the SAMOA Pathway, and we look forward to guidance from Member States on the parameters of this review.

Second, we are continuing our efforts to maintain and upgrade the SIDS partnership platform and in so doing we have and will continue to benefit from the guidance, insights and feedback of Member States, UN system organizations, business and industry and other major groups partners.

We will make sure that this innovative platform will continue making its unique contributions to advancing genuine and durable partnerships in support of the sustainable development of SIDS.

Third, I have directed the relevant offices and Divisions of my Department to further strengthen DESA’s technical and capacity building support to SIDS, including in the area of data collection and statistical analysis and in the development of SIDS vulnerability-resilience profiles. 

In undertaking this effort, DESA will intensify its ongoing collaboration with UN system organizations and with relevant SIDS regional organizations.

Fourth, as the Secretariat Department responsible for the substantive support to the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the High-level Political Forum, as well as the ongoing process for the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda, and the Financing for Development Conference, DESA will continue supporting Member States in ensuring that SIDS priorities and aspirations are incorporated in the intergovernmental deliberations and decisions. In this regard, the Third International Conference on Financing for Development and its preparatory process provide a timely platform to address the growing financing needs of SIDS in implementing the Samoa Pathway and in combating climate change.

In addition, DESA will continue to provide annual reporting to the relevant bodies to facilitate an integrative intergovernmental review of the progress in the implementation of the Barbados Programme of action, the Mauritius Strategy and the SAMOA Pathway.

We will do so in close collaboration with OHRLLS and other partners inside and outside the UN system.

Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates, 

The SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action – the Samoa Pathway – embodies the renewed political commitment of the international community to the sustainable development of SIDS.

The hundreds of partnerships launched by governments, UN system organizations, the business sector and the civil society promise to open up a new chapter in international development cooperation in support of SIDS.

However, the promises of engagement and assistance are meaningful only when delivered.

My Department is ready to do its part, both through its own advisory services, its normative and analytical work, and through its coordinating role in rallying UN system-wide support.

Thank you.

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