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Louder voice for Pacific islands at UN General Assembly
NOUMEA, New Caledonia–Greater prominence for Pacific Islands’ perspectives on global and regional development issues within the United Nations system is expected to be a major outcome of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community becoming an observer to the UN General Assembly.
SPC was formally granted observer status overnight following the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly in New York City.
The resolution for the Pacific’s largest regional development body to participate as an observer in the sessions and work of the General Assembly was submitted by the Fiji delegation following a decision taken at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Pacific Community in November 2013, which Fiji chaired. SPC will also be able to make observer statements at the UNGA.
The Director-General of SPC, Dr. Colin Tukuitonga, has welcomed the news, saying it is a significant breakthrough for the Pacific Community.
“By granting SPC observer status to the United Nations, it is our hope the unique development challenges facing Pacific Island countries and territories will be better understood and appreciated by the international community, and taken into account in decision making.
“Ultimately, our members want this greater access to the UN family to result in the aspirations of Pacific people being realized,” Dr Tukuitonga said.
In a communique, the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the UN, Ambassador Peter Thomson said: “We welcome the granting of observer status to the Pacific Community, coming as it does at the very important juncture, as we jointly design the Post-2015 Development Agenda.”
SPC is an international development organization owned and governed by its 26 Pacific Community members–all 22 Pacific Island countries and territories plus New Zealand, Australia, France and the United States of America.
Founded in 1947, SPC draws upon skills and capabilities from around the world to empower Pacific people, providing a range of important scientific and technical support, including in the fields of public health, fisheries, energy, agricultural development, disaster risk reduction and statistics. (SPC)
