Madam Chair,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 14 members states of the Pacific Islands Forum with presence here in New York. 

2. The agenda item before this committee is of critical importance to our group and at the outset we would like to thank the Secretary-General for the reports submitted under this important agenda to support our deliberations today.

 

Madam Chair,

3. Data and statistics on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economies continue to evolve and, coupled with the climate crisis facing our Pacific Island Nations, demonstrate a new level of complexity in the systemic risk we collectively face.  The pandemic has undoubtedly exposed structural weaknesses and demonstrates that when disasters strike the impacts are interconnected and cascade through our systems, lingering over time.

4. In 2016, Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorsed the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific: An integrated approach to address climate and disaster risk management for more resilient development in the Pacific (FRDP).  The Framework is a global first, whereby the Pacific is seeking to reduce our exposure to climate and disaster risk, support low carbon development and improve disaster response and reconstruction.

5. Within the Pacific Resilience Partnership, multiple stakeholders are engaging in resilience building through incorporating ecosystem management, addressing root causes of vulnerability and looking to strengthen preparedness in addition to promoting low carbon development.

6. Our Leaders recently endorsed the Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-related Sea-Level Rise as, inter alia, a proclamation that Forum Members’ maritime zones, as established and notified to the Secretary-General in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the rights and entitlements that flow from them, shall continue to apply, without reduction, notwithstanding any physical changes connected to climate change-related sea-level rise.

 

Madam Chair,

7. Many of the challenges we encounter as a region require enhanced cooperation and international support.  Our many small national and regional administrations make the integration processes for the 2030 Agenda, the SAMOA Pathway, the Sendai Framework and Paris Agreement necessary.

8. Madam Chair, we acknowledge the report submitted by the Executive Secretary through the UNSG on the work of the   Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, specifically on the Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind (A/76/225).

9. We call for all parties to the Paris Agreement to communicate or update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in time to be included in the final version of the NDC synthesis report published prior to COP26 and urge Parties to the Convention that have not yet ratified the Paris Agreement to expedite their domestic procedures and to promptly deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

10.  Our Leaders recognise the S.A.M.O.A Pathway as an important regional instrument that will help to guide the Pacific sustainable development trajectory.  This SIDS-specific global agenda is being utilised as a guiding reference for the development of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which intends to set a long-term vision and strategic pathways for the Pacific.

11.  The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders thank our Forum Dialogue Partners and place high regard on the effective and durable partnerships anchored in the SAMOA Pathway.  We welcome the update from member states reflected in SG’s report on the follow-up to and implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.

12.  Our group looks forward to the completion of the multidimensional vulnerability index (MVI) and an important tool help our SIDS members adopt more informed policies and strategies for building and sustaining long-term resilience particularly within a post-COVID 19 recovery lens.

 

Madam Chair,

13.  The global pandemic has altered the global development paradigm and the critical economic and social losses that have been sustained call for a change in approach if we are to meet our sustainable development goals by 2030.  For most, if not all, of us the road to recovery will be long and needs will continue to increase.

14.  In endorsing the Pacific Sustainable Development Report in 2018, which tracks the region’s progress in realising the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A) Pathway and other global commitments, Pacific Islands Forum Leaders committed to ensuring that sustainable development in the Blue Pacific is achieved in a way that recognises the region’s rich culture, national circumstances, and oceanic resources.

15.  The Pacific Roadmap for Sustainable Development enables and empowers our region to collectively respond to and make the best use of multiple global and regional development agendas to deliver on our national priorities and streamline reporting and accountability. 

16.  The link between sustainable consumption and production and sustainable waste actions and biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, gender inclusiveness and the health and wellbeing of PICT communities is clear.  Sustainable Consumption and Production is about doing more and better with less.  It is also about decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, increasing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable lifestyles.

17.  The 2030 Agenda, SDGs and S.A.M.O.A Pathway emphasise the necessity for a transformational approach to development if prosperity, equality for all and a protected environment are to be achieved.  This transformation includes harnessing policy coherence, forming multistakeholder partnerships, accessing public and private finance, stronger trading relationships, effectively adopting science and technology, and improving the collection and use of data.

18.  The Pacific Islands Forum looks forward to engaging in this important work with you all.

I thank you.