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Too many players, too few results
NOUMEA, New Caledonia—The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is leveraging its expertise across multiple sectors, including in health, climate change and fisheries, to deliver more comprehensive results for Pacific Island countries and territories.
“We are changing the way we work and repositioning ourselves to provide more coordinated and high quality technical, scientific and policy advice to our members,” said SPC’s new director-general, Dr. Colin Tukuitonga.
As Tukuitonga prepares for his first high-level meeting with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, one of the region’s largest donors, he has questioned the costs and benefits of the crowded development space in the Pacific region.
“There is a plethora of organizations involved and yet the impact is uncertain,” said Tukuitonga.
The region receives the highest per capita development dollars in the world and yet many Pacific people continue to live in unacceptable conditions. Large numbers of children are not enjoying the benefits of education and basic health care is not available to all.
“Many of the agencies that operate in the Pacific region do so in relative isolation, and only focus on one priority area,” said Tukuitonga.
With over 65 years of experience in the Pacific, the intergovernmental organization is well placed to respond to PICTs’ diverse needs.
“We work hard to tailor development solutions to specific country circumstances based on the available scientific evidence, and an in-depth understanding of the Pacific social, cultural and political environment,” said Tukuitonga. “Yet there is more to be done and SPC’s broad mandate and multi-sectoral approach gives us a distinct advantage.” (SPC)
