Opening Remarks delivered by H.E. H.E. Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Pa’olelei Luteru,
Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations and Chair of
the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
4TH IN-PERSON NATIONAL FOCAL POINT MEETING
Praia, Cabo Verde, 30 August 2023
Deputy Minister of Foreign affairs of Cabo Verde
Representative of the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for LDC, LLDCs and SIDS,
Excellencies,
Distinguished National Focal Points,
Ladies and Gentlemen
I thank OHRLLS for convening this fourth meeting of the SIDS National Focal Points, which is timely given the task of mapping SIDS’s development blueprint, for the next decade. I also wish to take this opportunity to extend my thanks and appreciation to the Government and people of Cabo Verde for hosting our meeting, and for the excellent hospitality since our arrival. Thank you.
As we meet here in Cabo Verde, to begin our journey together after meetings in our respective regions during the last 5 weeks, it is critical that we think as one SIDS collective , in charting the course towards a programme of action that is focused, targeted and implementable, with strong commitment, political will and financing to ensure that this new programme of action secures a better and more prosperous future for our peoples.
As National Focal Points you have a critically important role in ensuring localization and coherence at the national level, and your coming together today gives you the advantage of bring to our meeting a regional and cross-regional perspectives. This is why sharing your reflections on your work regarding the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway, including an assessment of what worked, gaps and challenges, and where improvements need to be made in order to meet the expectation of the new SIDS development blueprint, is essential.
We need to have a tighter, coordinated, and coherent approach to our development. We need to bring the national, regional and global levels together. We need also to look at how we can increase our capacities, especially around data and statistics. Since 1994, we have been submerged in a litany of challenges, now we need to find new ways to tackle and address them. Let us start thinking outside the box and formulate our own home-grown solutions to our problems. Let us lead by sharing our experiences and best practices within and across our sub-regions.
Many of today’s multilateral frameworks are outdated and no longer fit for purpose, and as we look towards a more resilient future and prosperity, we must recognize that whilst our special circumstances as SIDS may make us different, they do not take away our potentials to partner as equals. To collaboratively pursue mutual gains for our communities. It is only through mutual respect and shared opportunities that we can grow together with our partners and reap the benefits of our cooperation. This is a call for a mindset change in navigating our future for the next 10 years. It will also make our partnership with donors more sustainable.
You have a full program and I wish you every success in your deliberations. I also note that this is only your 4th meeting. We need to ensure that the opportunity for you to meet regularly over the next 10 years. I conclude by conveying my thanks to OHRLLS for giving me the opportunity to share some thoughts with you this morning.
Thank you.