Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - Advocacy

Reporting on the United Nations General Assembly through Island Voices

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 17:16:00 +0000

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OHRLLS/Malwina Buldys

NEW YORK, 1 October 2019 – World leaders gathered last week at the United Nations Headquarters to signal how they will boost action to respond to the climate emergency, ensure health and well being of people, accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and support small island developing States.

Through the period 23 to 27 September, 2019 five high-level summits took place, namely the: Climate Action Summit, High-level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, Sustainable Development Goals Summit, High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development and the High-level Midterm Review of the SAMOA Pathway.

Working behind the scenes to report on the proceedings was a group of fifteen journalists from small island developing States (SIDS) who were selected through the Island Voices journalism campaign by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS). Their presence was an opportunity to focus on global issues through an island lens.

Welcoming the journalists to the United Nations, Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States said “The discussions that are taking place here at the global level has direct impacts on the lives of islanders back home. This is why your presence is critical. Because it is through you that these stories can be told to audiences back home.”

Throughout the high-level week, the journalists were immersed not only in the major summits but also covering the speeches of the heads of state and governments from their respective countries. Furthermore, several journalists moderated interview panels with high level participants, covering major development issues ranging from oceans to private sector partnerships.

UN-OHRLLS also took the opportunity to turn the spotlight on the journalists, carrying out video interviews where they shared their perspectives on the major development issues their island nations are facing, the role of the media in reporting on the SAMOA Pathway as well as sharing their advice for young journalists starting their careers in small island developing States. A three-part video of the interviews will be released in the autumn of 2019.

High on the agenda for the journalists was the Midterm Review of the SAMOA Pathway held on 27 September which provided leaders with the opportunity to discuss progress on combating the devastating impacts of climate change, building economic and environmental resilience, and other challenges facing SIDS.

Speaking at the dedicated press conference for the SAMOA Pathway Midterm Review, High Representative ‘Utoikamanu said “The SAMOA Pathway stands for the voices, priorities and hopes of small island developing States to build inclusive and sustainable societies.” She added, “It is a roadmap for action. This Midterm Review represents a strategic moment. It affords us the opportunity to review and to renew the international community’s commitments to small island developing states.”

The SAMOA Pathway is the overarching 10-year framework adopted in 2014 at the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Apia, Samoa. It guides island nations in their global, regional and national development efforts and is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The political declaration adopted at the Midterm Review by �山��Member States outlines the progress made on implementing the SAMOA Pathway while identifying gaps and remaining challenges, including the climate crisis as well as socio-economic concerns.

The Island Voices journalism campaign was made possible through the financial support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

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Third Column

High Representative Welcome Message UNGA74

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:18:00 +0000

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USG Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu

UNOHRLLS

NEW YORK, 20 September 2019 – The 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly is upon us. World leaders will soon gather to signal how countries will work together to tackle the climate emergency, ensure health and wellbeing of people, accelerate achievement of the SDGs and support small island developing States. Watch Here

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Milo Milfort

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 16:49:00 +0000

Competition Winner: Milo Milfort

Milo Milfort studied Social Communication and Public Administration at the State University of Haiti and Photography at the Center of Photographic and Cinematographic Studies. From March 2016, he started working as a freelance photographer/ journalist with the Haitian weekly based in New York, Haiti Liberté. He also writes for Mag Haiti, an online media. In September 2016, he was among the 10 winners of the 2nd edition of the “Young Journalist Award of Haiti.” In February 2017, Milo Milfort founded Enquet’Action, an independent, critical and alternative investigative media whose mission is to carry out journalistic investigations on subjects of public interest.

Renewable Energy is the Future for Haiti

Click here to read to the original story in French

Low access rates, mediocre quality services, unequal access to electricity for the population. The energy system in Haiti is subject to eternal challenges that constitute a major obstacle to reducing poverty in a country, yet with high potential of clean energies.

In the face of these limitations, non-state actors are proposing alternatives to use renewable energies to provide electricity to marginalized and forgotten populations of state authorities.

At homes, electricity replaces harmful and dangerous lamps, reduces spending on energy sources (kerosene, candles, telephone charging, etc.) and saves valuable time by replacing dangerous manual work and the daily quest for fuel (wood and water), a chore generally provided by women and girls.

For some years now, the social reality is quite different at Mole St Nicolas, for Jean Rabel and Bombardopolis in the northwestern department of Haiti. The sustainable energy used positively affects the lives of no less than 20 thousand people – living in some of Haiti’s poorest regions, says Mag Haiti. They are part of the small minority who have access to affordable electricity 24/7 in a country where ¾ of the population do not have this opportunity and where those who have it – have to deal with intermittent access from 5 to 9 hours a day. That has not been always the situation. Previously, electricity was a luxury for the people of the Northwest who live in a region with great potential for renewable energy, as well as an untapped potential for communities to develop.

“Before the arrival of Sigora, those who can, have tried to find an answer to the blackout that reigned there. Churches, businesses and the better-off got inverter, batteries, solar panels and generators. Those who cannot afford such luxury – deprived of electric energy – used a kerosene lamp as lighting in the evening”, recalls Remy Julmisse, CEO of Radio TV Jean Rabel (RTJR). The native of Jean Rabel indicates that there was electricity in his country in the 80s-90 from 10am to midnight, and after – periods of blackout followed. This, despite the attempt to implement a large electrification project by the former President René Préval during his second term – which has not succeeded.

In Haiti, between 25 to 30% of the population in urban areas and less than 5% in rural areas have access to electricity, according to official figures. In the Latin America and Caribbean region, the country has the lowest electrification rate and the largest number of people without access to electricity – more than 8 million. “The cost is affordable. Since the electrification of several regions, people stay much later in the streets. The radios operate 24 hours a day, yet before they worked only 5 hours a day. City lighting creates a safer climate. And, everyone turns into a shopkeeper”, adds Julmisse Sigora customer since mid-2017. The head of media announces the opening of a television channel soon in the city. “Lately, a cutout of the electricity from 7am to 10pm – has created a climate of panic on the city because people are not used to blackout”; he says. He reveals that remote communal sections still do not have access to electricity. This blackout occurred because of the required system maintenance. A customer can recharge his account from 25 gourdes. He can do it, but someone else who knows his number can buy him hours of electricity. With 25 gourdes, the recipient with two bulbs and phones to recharge, can have power for 24 hours.

The availability of 24/7 electric power has allowed companies to stop using their diesel generators, many of which were oversized and poorly maintained. In schools and clinics, workers report improvements in service delivery through 24/7 food.

Consistent service is essential for businesses, large and small, to thrive. Businesses lose on average 5 to 15% of their sales due to frequent power outages. This figure rises to 20% for informal companies unable to afford relief, according to a study by the Dalberg Group titled "Improving access to electricity through decentralized renewable energy, case study policy, released in May 2017.

Since they are connected to the electricity provided by Sigora Haiti, sellers stay open longer at night, extending their productive sales hours between 3 and 5 hours a day.

Sustainable energy at the grassroots?

At the base of these changes in living conditions and existence, is the arrival of the company Sigora Haiti that produces electricity through a combination of solar energy and diesel generators, and who will soon add battery storage . Sigora operates hybrid networks that leverage Haiti's vast renewable energy potential to provide reliable power to the communities it serves.

"Before Sigora, students were studying on candlelight or kerosene, which emitted harmful fumes, while others were forced to leave their homes to study in the light of streetlamps. Today, this is no longer the case”, proudly supports Natasha Skreslet, Impact and Communications Director at Sigora Haiti.

The company started with a dream of electrifying a clinic and became today a large-scale green utility project. This utility company generates, distributes and sells energy directly to the end customer, and provides electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, clean, reliable and at a reasonable price to some underserved communities in Haiti.

"We envision communities where children can study at night, where adults have many job opportunities and where businesses thrive"; she adds. From 2015 to date, Sigora Haiti - subsidiary of Sigora International based in San Francisco in the United States - is 4 micro-networks, 4,000 connections and 20,000 customers. Currently, its production capacity is 1.25 MW. Once the first phase of the North-West Electrification Project has been completed, the company promises to expand its network to 136 thousand or 27 thousand accounts. This, with a renewable energy capacity of 3.5 MWp.

The institution welcomes the initiatives of the government of Haitian President Jovenel Moise to expand access to electricity. "We are ready to work with all stakeholders to advance this important goal"; said Natasha Skreslet, admitting the benefits of a prepaid system adopted by her company. Without minimal monthly expenses, even the smallest customer can afford to connect, and customers pay only for what they use.

"Renewable energies - that's the future in Haiti. New electricity service approaches that exploit smart meters, prepaid electricity and solar power plants hold the promise of sustainably expanding access to energy in previously underserved and unconnected areas of the country", concludes Natasha Skreslet.

According to Haiti';s sustainable energy roadmap released in November 2014, only 6 square kilometers of solar photovoltaic panels would be able to produce as much electricity as Haiti produced in 2011. The study compares the economic and societal costs of electricity. current electricity sector in Haiti and its usual development to that of alternative routes and concludes that Haiti will benefit enormously if it relies more heavily on renewable energy sources and less on fossil fuels.

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Island Voices

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 14:53:00 +0000

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Island Voices Podcast

UN-OHRLLS has turned to audio to tell the stories of the lived experience of people living in small island developing States (SIDS).

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Opening Statement at the Latin America Region Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 18:39:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

11 June 2019
Santiago, Chile

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

A warm welcome to our Latin America Mid Term Review meeting! I first must express my gratitude to Ms. Alicia Bárcena and the staff of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Thank you for your excellent partnership in organizing this meeting. I am very honored to be here with you at the Commission. A Commission which is known for many decades for its innovative and inspiring work.

You are a vital a partner for the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda. I also deeply thank Paraguay for your important role in the organization of our meeting and for your leadership as the global Chair of the Group of LLDCs. What a great level of participation. It is good to see the interest from landlocked and transit countries, from the development partners of LLDCs and all stakeholders from the region- I am encouraged! Ladies and Gentlemen, In 2014, we adopted the Vienna Programme of Action. You, the member states, committed to a forward-looking development agenda for LLDCs demanding action in critical areas over the decade 2014-2024. Five years have since gone by. Yes, the clock is turning fast. today, this year we meet at a strategic moment in the implementation of the programme.

A moment we must seize. We must assess our progress, our failures, gaps, and above all identify the way forward. We must identify practical, workable and forward-looking ways and means to accelerate the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals. These are not separate goals they all are mutually reinforcing goals on which the clock is ticking and asking us to accelerate action. We just have a short five years left to ensure that the priorities of the VPoA are more than words - they must be turned into results. I would say, the glass is half full. In the last five years, LLDCs have made some progress towards achieving the goals of the VPoA. BUT! that progress is however not sufficient to meet the VPoA or the agenda 2030 goals. Effort is needed NOW. It will have to be considerable effort. This also demands commensurate resources to achieve the VPoA and SDG targets by 2030. Otherwise, LLDCs will be left behind. So, where do we stand?

Allow me to highlight some key features of where the situation at mid- term of the programme stands. While this may look like almost a " laundry list " of action items, these are not isolated issues. These all are truly interconnected issues to manage. As we know, trade and related transit measures are strategic drivers for LLDCs' efforts to advance their economies and with this sustainable growth. We can see progress. For example, 24 out of 26 LLDCs that are WTO Members have ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. In the LAC region, two landlocked countries and all 5 transit countries ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. This is encouraging. It is testimony to the LLDCs’ and transit countries’ commitment to improving trade facilitation and addressing the high trade costs of the region. As we know too well, agreements are a first step and it is implementation that makes matters move, that must happen. I see it as very important to ensure that the actual implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreements advances.

It is the only way to realize the benefits of signing the agreements. At the same time, it is clear that for this process to accelerate, much more needs to be done to build the capacity of the LLDCs to implement their Trade Facilitation Agreements. From a macro perspective, the LLDCs’ trade integration does indeed remain low. LLDCs account for less than 1% of global exports. In 2018, the share of global exports of the 34 transit countries’was 22.7 per cent. These figures hide that exports remain concentrated around a few primary commodities and natural resources still generating low value- added from a domestic development perspective. That is a critical issue. It is linked in some measure to the LLDC’s continuing high trade costs. Both are fundamental issues we must tackle if we truly wish to see the integration of the LLDCs into global trade. And again linked to this is of course the issue of transport. It is highly encouraging to see that the Andean Community of Nations and the Latin American Integration Association are seeking to simplify cross border land transport throughout South America.

As I said before, appropriate and therefore upgraded infrastructure is and always has been a key developmental driver. It is a most positive step forward to see that the LLDCs and transit countries have invested in efforts to expand and upgrade the road and railway network over the review period. Just as inter- regional transport networks matter, domestic transport networks are equally if not by times more so key to transformation and development. On inland water transport, the recently signed River Transport Agreement’s additional Protocols further contributes to the predictability, stability, and legal security of investments made along the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway. These are all encouraging actions but the need for more work to improve physical connectivity of the LLDCs remains and it more than ever urgent. With being landlocked, we too often see considerable lag in overcoming poverty and achieving inclusive sustainable development.

Now add to this the often disproportionally destructive impacts of climate change with all the consequences on people's livelihoods and the LLDCs` economies. Poverty in the LLDC remains three times higher than the global average of 10.9 per cent. Real GDP growth declined from 5.6 per cent in 2014 to 4.5 per cent % in 2017. Many LLDCs have placed economic transformation at the core of their national development plans as a key condition for poverty eradication. The desired structural transformation however is slow. The challenge may well be to focus on high-productivity sectors with modern higher valueadded products and industrialize the agriculture sector. This in turn demands more effort to support and enable the private sector, micro, small and medium sized enterprises, to grow and fully participate in structural transformation. This implies a need for policy changes but also is an area where regional cooperation holds great promise.

I myself come from a very small nation and believe me the notion of " achieving economies of scale " is there every day when you come from a small, remote nation! Regional cooperation indeed holds this great potential to achieve economies of scale, to strengthen trade and transit facilitation, and promote joint infrastructure projects and enhance connectivity. Take Paraguay who is party to nine regional trade agreements aimed at facilitating trade. These agreements on transit and trade facilitation will, I am sure, yield great benefits and expedite trade across borders. As we all know, we have a fourth industrial revolution, So , a further critical " must catch up " are concerns ICT. The development and adoption of ICT holds great potential in so many areas. As I just talked about trade only, just picture what ICT can achieve in simplifying customs formalities and controls. Investing in and leveraging the potential of the ever more rapid digital evolution is of great importance to LLDCs and where we must ensure not to leave LLDCs behind. And a last but certainly not the least factor I must address is that of capacity and financial resources. Capacity constraints and access to adequate financial resources remain fundamental challenges that the LLDCs face in their efforts to achieve inclusive sustained growth and sustainable development.

The situation is no different in Latin America. ODA as such remains focused on just a few LLDCs and the LLDCs own ability to attract and retain investment, including FDI, remains a challenge. Most of the FDI flows are directed towards the extractive sector with limited potential for employment creation or skills building leave alone increased value- added. Capacity constraints are partly driving this situation and I will come back to this. We all now must rally as partners and support the development efforts of LLDCs. One the one hand, the mobilization of resources through sources of financing such as publicprivate partnerships, infrastructure investment funds, and South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation, must be much more tapped into. They are bold and innovative means to achieve the VPoA. At the same time, we must step up capacity building while being mindful also of simplification. Since I took office, I have made a consistent call for simplified access to and accelerated disbursement of finances available to countries and their peoples most left at risk to once more being left behind! We can do this without compromising on transparency and accountability.

Ladies and Gentlemen We are halfway through the VPoA. It is clear that more needs to be done on many fronts to support the LLDCs. It needs to be done fast and with innovative ideas! And, the challenge at hand demands for us to work TOGETHER. We must collectively work towards ensuring that the LLDCs and their peoples are not left behind. Ladies and Gentlemen Allow me now to turn to a final point. It may sound like housekeeping but how we now in a participatory and inclusive way use the process leading to the High-level Comprehensive midterm review to be held in December 2019 in New York is very important. The President of the General Assembly has appointed the Permanent Representatives of Austria and Bhutan as co-facilitators for the midterm review. The co-facilitators are here with us in this regional meeting. Thank you for being here and thank you for having participated in the EuroAsia and Africa regional review meetings.

The presence of the co-facilitators, and the Bureau members at our meeting will ensure that discussions are brought to the full attention of the intergovernmental negotiations in New York. As far as national level preparations are concerned, we received national reports from 20 LLDCs. The national reports are a significant input into global preparations. OHRLLS in collaboration with partners is organizing thematic events on key issues in the LLDCs. The Ministerial Meeting of LLDCs on Trade and Transport that was held in Kazakhstan in May last year kicked off the preparatory process. Further thematic preconference events that have been organized addressed energy, aviation, foreign direct investment, climate change, transit and border cooperation, ICT connectivity and science, technology and innovation for structural transformation. Additional preconference thematic events are in the pipeline and concerns trade facilitation; trade and transport corridors and consultative preconference event on LLDC priorities with the World Bank.

As dialogue, exchange, inclusiveness are key here, OHRLLS organized a dedicated retreat at headquarters bringing together LLDCs, transit countries, development partners and international organizations. This retreat had one objective: exchange views and consult on the elements of the outcome document of the Midterm Review. OHRLLS in cooperation with the Regional Commissions implements a project on “Strengthening the capacity of LLDCs under the Belt and Road Initiative to design and implement policies that promote transport connectivity for the achievement of the SDGs”. The project funded by the Government of China provided the resources that OHRLLS used to contribute to the organization of this regional review meeting.

I express my appreciation to the Government of China. And once more I thank my colleague, Alicia Barcena, for hosting us all! Ladies and gentlemen, Your active participation, your support will no doubt ensure that the outcome of this meeting will be one of action driven and pragmatic recommendations so that we come through on the promises the VPoA and Agenda 2030 make to leave no one behind.

Muchas gracias!nd gentlemen

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Remarks at the 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

Anonymous — Thu, 16 May 2019 20:00:00 +0000

Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

16 May 2019
Geneva, Switzerland

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I cannot overstate how relevant and how strategic the theme of this roundtable – risk informed public and private investments is for the three groups of countries OHRLLS advocates for. These three groups of countries, as you all know, are highly vulnerable to the accelerating impacts of climate change and to external shocks in the international system. Therefore, disaster losses put these countries, their people on a more than unequal footing. Already scarce resources get even further depleted and prevent from critical investments in areas such as quality education, health and infrastructure.

Yet, these investments are vital to eradicating extreme poverty, and ensuring more resilient, productive and peaceful societies. They are vital to ensuring that these countries are not left behind in achieving the goals Agenda 2030 sets. The high vulnerability and risk levels of LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS exceed the capacity of these countries to respond to and recover from disaster. The 2018 edition of the OHRLLS’ flagship publication on LDCs has as its special theme” Reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening resilience in LDCs.

The Report presents an in-depth analysis of climate-related and other risks facing LDCs. It discusses measures and recommendations for reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience. As Secretary- General Guterres keeps reminding the global community, we have only begun to see the devastating impacts of climate change. We do not have the luxury of time. Urgent global action and strengthened international cooperation must happen now to support vulnerable countries onto a path of greater resilience so as to include them in achieving the goals set out in Agenda 2030. OHRLLS has repeatedly called - and will continue to call for the full implementation of the Sendai Framework. It must be done in a coherent manner and in integration with other global agreements including the Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs, the Vienna Programme of Action for the LLDCs and the SAMOA Pathway for the SIDS. For our part, OHRLLS will invest in actions to contribute to risk-informed public and private investment to build resilience of the most vulnerable countries. Allow me to highlight a few specifics.

OHRLLS works with our partners to enhance research and data collection to provide further insight into the implications of climate change and migration including in the landlocked developing countries. I cannot stress enough how important it is that we have access to verifiable, timely and relevant data. I have also stressed the need to strengthen early warning systems and invest in informational/institutional capacity on climate and weather information systems. It is really key to have performing risk management capacity in place. Risk information must systematically be mainstreamed in planning, zoning and investments. This is key to operational and financial efficiency, it helps avoiding unnecessary extra costs. We must better understand the risk-reward trade-offs. We must unveil the cost of inaction.

At the same time, OHRLLS intensifies our efforts to notch up international support for vulnerable countries and this includes broadening their access to financial facilities. Access is a very important dimension here. I have stated this over and over and will say it again: we must invest in accelerating, simplifying and enhancing access to already existing financing mechanisms such as the adaptation fund, the global environmental facility, the Green Climate Fund and the Least Developed Countries Fund.

We all know about stretched, limited capacities vulnerability brings with it. It cannot be that we overtax critical capacity with burdensome procedures - of course, transparency and accountability are a must but let us look into simplifications! 2019 is a very crucial year and especially so for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Five years after the Third SIDS Conference, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a oneday high-level review of the SAMOA Pathway on 27 September 2019 in New York. The SAMOA Pathway recognizes that genuine and durable partnerships play an important role in advancing the sustainable development of SIDS. As a side remark, PARTNERSHIP is and will increasingly be a MUST for us to translate the Agenda 2030 ambitions and those of the Paris Climate Agreement into reality on the ground.

Already over the past year, OHRLLS intensified efforts to strengthen partnerships with the private sector to promote sustainable development in SIDS. The SIDS Global Business Network was established. Its aim is to better link the business communities of the three SIDS regions, exchange lessons learned and best practices. Disaster risk reduction is one of the seven key thematic areas of the SIDS-Global Business Network. The network and will address the issue of risk-informed investments. It is not you that I need to tell at how critical a juncture we all are and how it is working together is our way forward. As you know, the United Nations is seeking to engage with ALL - with governments (at all levels), businesses, civil society, academia and a wide range of other stakeholders to just do that - build partnerships.

These are partnerships we need to support sustainable development in SIDS. In recognition of this critical dynamic, OHRLLS together with DESA organizes a Global Multistakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue. The dialogue is scheduled on the margins of the Highlevel Political Forum on Sustainable Development on 10 July in New York. Partnerships on disaster risk reduction and resilience building are a key pillar of this dialogue. The lessons from the Global Platform will feed into this process.

So, let us ALL stay engaged and stay especially engaged in the process for the mid-term review of the SAMOA Pathway. I am confident that it is by joining forces and investing in existing and new partnerships that we lend the best support possible to SIDS in the realization of their sustainable development aspirations. I thank you.

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Welcome Remarks at the 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

Anonymous — Wed, 15 May 2019 20:07:00 +0000

Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

15 May 2019
Geneva, Switzerland

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is indeed a pleasure to be here at this welcome session of the Sixth Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, and to share with you the key outcomes of the fourth meeting of the Small Island States Resilience Initiative Practitioners’ Network (SISRI), which was held in Geneva, on May 12-13, 2019. The meeting was jointly organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), and funded by the European Commission through the ACP-EU Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Program managed by GFDRR.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, By way of background, SISRI is an initiative of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), managed by the World Bank, and works with small island states to reduce climate and disaster risks to their populations, assets, ecosystem and economies. It was launched in 2014 as a response to small island States’ calls for more adequate, predictable and effective flows of finance from the international community through technical assistance, implementation support, knowledge sharing, innovations and partnerships. One of the main pillars of this initiative is to strengthen a community of practice for small islands states through the SISRI Practitioners Network. For this meeting, more than 60 development practitioners from 29 small island developing states (SIDS) came together under the theme, “Bringing resilience to scale in Small Island Developing States”.

Located in some of the most disaster-prone regions in the world, SIDS are among the most vulnerable to natural hazards and the impacts of climate change. Eager to share best practices and lessons learned for enhancing climate and disaster resilient development, participants came together with a view to: exchanging experiences and good practices developed by small island states to make development climate and disaster resilient; facilitating peer-to-peer learning to support effective design and implementation of climate and disaster resilient investments and policy interventions; and further strengthening the community of practice between small island states’ practitioners.

Through presentations and lively discussions, the participants shared national and regional experiences and solutions to important challenges, including how to select high impact interventions and investments when there are many national sectoral and cross-sectoral priorities. Participants also considered evidence-based decision-making 3 tools such as São Tomé and Príncipe’s spatial risk information and the Pacific Risk Information System, which are enabling SIDS to better understand and analyze their respective climate and disaster risk profiles, thus helping guide their resilience planning and investments.

They also presented and discussed a range of issues, from the prioritization of climate and disaster resilient activities to be scaled-up, to mainstreaming resilience in public financial management and key areas/sectors such as built environment, urban, transport and other infrastructure and coastal management. Other key areas of the discussion included the role of the private sector through the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, and the importance of community-led partnerships and gender-responsive approaches to building resilience. The latter generated a great discussion on vulnerability, marginalization and equal opportunities in line with the theme of this year’s Global Platform – The Resilience Dividend: Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Societies. Oxfam’s country director in the Solomon Islands, Ms. Dolores Devesi, in her excellent intervention, stressed the importance of women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction.

Across the board, the SIDS acknowledged that the twin challenges of a changing climate and intensifying disaster risk would not be easy to overcome. Yet there was also consensus that by exchanging experiences, ideas and lessons learned from efforts already underway, a resilient future for the SIDS would be much more achievable. The potential for replication of some of the solutions shared led participants to call for more frequent formalized peer-to peer learning opportunities and for support to South-South visit exchanges.

These very important outcomes are intended to feed into the discussions here at the Global Platform, as well as other meetings being held later this year in the context of the United Nations General Assembly. These meetings include the SecretaryGeneral’s Climate Action Summit, the SDG Summit, a High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, and last but not least the High-Level Mid-Term Review of the SAMOA Pathway.

My Office, UN-OHRLLS, remains highly committed to ensuring that these matters are given the prominence they deserve in the context of these important meetings, and as we move forward in support of more climate and disaster resilient development in SIDS. Thank you very much.

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Opening Remarks at the 4th Meeting of the SISRI Practitioners Network Bringing Resilience to Scale in SIDS

Anonymous — Sun, 12 May 2019 20:12:00 +0000

Remarks by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

12 May 2019
Geneva, Switzerland

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

This is an important meeting and it is very important to me to be with you. Bringing resilience to scale in small island developing States (SIDS) sure is a challenge but one we must take up with urgency. The very physical and human geography of the SIDS is such that not only they are among the most vulnerable but also those most at risk of being left far behind in the implementation of the major global agreements on disaster risk reduction, climate change and sustainable development. Theirs are unique characteristics and challenges demanding specific and also fast- tracked support. This too is the primary goal of the SAMOA Pathway.

The SAMOA pathway is essentially a forerunner, a blueprint for the sustainable development of SIDS and dovetails with the broader context of the 2030 Agenda. Then, we have the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement and their provisions which we can only meet if we fully implement the SAMOA Pathway. That said, this is overall a critical year for the SIDS. This September, world leaders will gather at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to attend a series of Summits and High-level meetings. All of these meetings have a shared aim: lead to ambitious action to end poverty, respond to the climate threat and secure healthy, peaceful and prosperous lives for all.

The message is simple: we must act NOW. These meetings include the Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit, the SDG Summit, a High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, and last but by no means least the HighLevel Mid-Term Review of the SAMOA Pathway. The way life, our planet work is not a way of neat separate packages to be considered in isolation. No, and at the risk of sounding simplistic, but it all is interconnected! So, it is very important that every effort is made to enhance the synergies between these meetings. It is very important that we ensure that SIDS issues are brought to the forefront in these key processes just as we did once at the Barbados conference!

To be able to do that, it is critical for the SIDS to have a robust Mid Term Review of the SAMOA Pathway. This review ought to have substance, ought to be forward- looking with practical and practicable recommendations for action. I cannot stress enough how important it is for us all together to set a proper course for action over the next phase of implementation. The regional and inter-regional preparatory meetings for the Mid-Term Review of the SAMOA Pathway took place last year. In all of these meetings, a strong focus on disaster risk reduction and building resilience emerged. The very geography of SIDS means that disaster losses experienced by SIDS tend to be disproportionate. This continues to be a major and growing concern.

As predicted a long time ago, we are observing increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. A single hurricane can and has erased years if not decades of development gains in many of these countries. Disaster losses are putting vulnerable countries on an unequal footing – In 2018, the average external debt in SIDS reached 60% of their GNI, exacerbated by the need to borrow for the cost of natural disasters recovery. As a side remark, when you are an island, just the transport costs to secure basic building materials can be prohibitive and I will not even mention time delays involved in securing basics!

This deprives SIDS of the already scarce resources that could be more usefully spent in areas such as quality education, health and infrastructure. These all are vital to eradicating extreme poverty, and ensuring more resilient, productive and peaceful societies. Indeed, one of the key outcomes of the preparatory process of the Mid-Term Review was the recognition of the need for greater support for SIDS. We must invest much more in knowledge, capacity and financial support to help them build back better after natural disasters. Capacity building must include advancement of policies and strategies capable of addressing the financial management of disaster risk in SIDS.

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, and more specifically this SISRI meeting, will allow us to drill down into these issues. I hope for constructive dialogue on how to address these key dimensions of resilience building for SIDS. In this way, we can have a sound basis for our discussions in the broader sustainable development context on areas including: tackling poverty, achieving food security and debt sustainability, building resilient infrastructure, ensuring resilient human settlements and strengthening adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and disasters.

OHRLLS looks forward to our discussions. OHRLLS is deeply committed to ensuring that these matters are given the prominence they deserve as the peoples of the SIDS deserve nothing less from us ! These all are issues to tackle in the context of the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway, and in the implementation of the broader 2030 sustainable development agenda. So, let us all rally as partners to ensure we leave no one behind! Thank you.

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Closing Statement at the Ambassadorial Retreat on the Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review on the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action

Anonymous — Wed, 08 May 2019 20:30:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

8 May 2019
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you all for a very productive, intense and forward-looking time that we have spent together reviewing the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action and identifying possible areas for inclusion in the outcome document of the Midterm Review. I would like to congratulate all participants for their engagement in the discussions. I indicated in the opening that we have successfully held 2 regional review meetings in Asia and Africa and 14 thematic pre-conference events focused on trade, transport, ICT, climate change, structural economic transformation, migration and energy.

Allow me to briefly highlight some points to take away from our discussions here and that were also highlighted in the other preparatory events. Generally speaking, there has been progress in the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action but much more remains to be done. Greater forging of synergies between the Vienna Programme and the 2030 Agenda and other global development frameworks was underscored. There is need to address the financing needs for transport, energy and ICT infrastructure development in order to accelerate connectivity of the LLDCs to regional and international markets.

Development of greater connectivity has to go hand in hand with increased industrialization that can help the LLDCs to diversify their economies and increase their export potential. We need to find ways of further stimulate the trade potential of LLDCs. Support to implement trade facilitation reforms including implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation agreement should be enhanced. There is need to foster productive capacities, value addition and promote higher productivity in LLDCs. Science technology and innovations, and nurturing an 1 enabling business environment were noted as key drivers. It was noted that it is important to support the LLDCs to develop their private sector. We underscored the importance of e-commerce as an area of opportunity.

Deepening of cooperation between neighbours is important to improve the integration of the LLDCs into regional and international markets. In our meeting we noted that the LLDCs are affected by climate change, desertification and disasters and these need to be addressed in the Midterm Review. On means of implementation the importance of enhanced domestic resource mobilization, ODA including Aid for Trade, foreign direct investment and South-South cooperation have been highlighted. The role of multilateral development banks is important. The role of international organizations including the �山��system and regional organizations is critical. Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen As we now move forward we indeed must build on our exchange of experiences and ideas heard today.

The elements that came out of this meeting are important contribution into the upcoming intergovernmental consultations. We are now energized to complete the remaining preparatory work for the Midterm Review. We are currently working together with ECLAC and Paraguay on the organization of the Latin America Regional Review Meeting that will be held at ECLAC Headquarters on 11 and 12 June in Chile, Santiago. We are also organizing a few more pre-conference events including one focused on corridor development; another on trade facilitation and we are also in consultation with the World Bank to organize a joint event. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, In concluding my remarks, I would like to thank all of you again for your engagement in the preparatory process of the Midterm Review.

I wish to thank all of the staff here at HNA Palisades Premier Conference Center for having looked so well after us. 2 I thank OHRLLS’ staff for your support to making this meeting happen. Kindly be advised that a report of this consultative meeting will be made available to you in the coming weeks. All the presentations and statements will be uploaded on OHRLLS’ webpage of the retreat. I look forward to continued and expanded collaboration in the coming months and years. Thank you.

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Opening Statement at the Ambassadorial Retreat on the Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review on the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action

Anonymous — Wed, 08 May 2019 15:57:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

8 May 2019
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

A very warm welcome to you all !

What a privilege to have you , Excellency Ms. Inga Rhonda King, with us ! Thank you. We also benefitted last night from the remarks sent by Her Excellency Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa, the President of the General Assembly. I am pleased that the Chair of the LLDC Group as well as the co-facilitators for the intergovernmental negotiations on the outcome document for the midterm review can be with us today.

Thank you ! Last but certainly not least, I must thank the Government of the Russian Federation for your generous support which has made this retreat possible. Ladies and gentlemen, The Vienna Programme of Action was adopted almost 5 years ago. It had and has a straightforward goal: a comprehensive development framework to address the challenges of the landlocked developing countries. There is no doubt that we now have greater awareness of the LLDC issues. There is increased visibility and also the recognition that LLDCs have special needs at the international level and in the work of the United Nations. We also see have increased reference to the LLDCs in key United Nations Development Frameworks adopted after the Vienna Programme such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Sendai Framework.

Initiatives in support of the LLDCs such as the Sustainable Mobility for All and the inauguration of the International Think Tank on LLDCs have also been taken. Now, the global community's 2030 Agenda has a key ambition and that is to leave no one behind. Quite obviously, this must include LLDCs ! Therefore, it is a MUST for us to work on effective linkages between the follow-up and review arrangements of the 2030 Agenda and the Vienna Programme. Two fora can play a key in this and these are the HLPF and the financing for development forum. Both are fora where the LLDCs could bring forward their special needs and push for strengthened coherence. My plea is that adequate time is devoted to the special needs and challenges of the LLDCs in these follow-up processes, and in particular in the HLPF.

The LLDC Group continues to demonstrate their strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda. This is very important and 6 LLDCs conducted Voluntary National Reviews of implementation in 2018. It is encouraging that this year, 10 additional LLDCs have committed to presenting their Voluntary National Reviews during the HLPF in July. From a macro-perspective, SDG implementation by the LLDCs shows some progress. And as always, there is a BUT. It is clear that considerable additional efforts and resources will be required to achieve targets by 2030 to esnure the LLDCs are not left behind. Encouraging progress can be recorded in the critical health-related SDGs and for indicators related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Access to electricity increased. Access to education is being enhanced.

Poverty levels in LLDCs have declined. And again we have a BUT - poverty levels remain higher than world average. Moderate or severe food insecurity is prevalent. Access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation facilities remains low, well below world averages, despite steady improvements. The high vulnerability of LLDCs to the too often devastating impacts of climate change, especially drought, desertification, melting of mountain glaciers, and land degradation, is of serious concern from both a developmental and a security perspective. In short, too many LLDCs remain at the bottom of the development ladder . My message is simple: more efforts, more and faster action are needed. Ladies and gentlemen, As I said before, the Vienna Programme and Agenda 2030 are let me say twins - achieving the SDGs , ensuring that we leave no one behind implies that we must ensure that the Vienna Programme of Action is fully implemented ! The glass is half full and let us now partner, work harder, work smarter to fill it up! Let me acknowledge some of the achievements first. Most LLDCs have ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement which is at the core of making cross-border trade cheaper, faster and more efficient. LLDCs have become more active participants in regional integration and cooperation efforts.

Efforts have been ongoing to enhance transport, energy and ICT connectivity. Those are evidence of progress, signs of hope and we need to maintain this momentum and enhance these positive trends. at the same time it is now that we must address major challenges and outstanding issues in the implementation of the Vienna Programme. LLDCs remain marginalized in global trade. Their exports remain undiversified. The issue of the high trade costs for the LLDCs has hardly improved. Progress on structural economic transformation is slow. We really must leverage the midterm review of the Vienna Programme of Action to address in tangible ways these issues. The review is indeed our, YOUR opportunity to comprehensively assess progress, identify achievements, obstacles, constraints and propose ways forward. We must look at actions that worked, actions that did not work and initiatives needed to close gaps and accelerate implementation of the Programme. My Office was mandated to co-ordinate the Midterm Review.

The national, regional and global preparations are continuing. At the global level, 3 meetings of the inter-agency consultative group have been held that discussed the preparations for the review. 14 pre-conference events have also already been organized by OHRLLS and other agencies that are members of the inter-agency consultative group. The issues addressed spanned from transit, to transport, trade and border cooperation to energy, ICT, foreign direct investment, productive capacity building, structural economic transformation and science, technology and innovation. Several more events are still being planned for the remainder of the year. 4 The Euro-Asia regional meeting successfully took place on 11 and 12 February 2019 at ESCAP headquarters in Bangkok. The Africa regional review meeting was held on 18 and 19 March 2019 in Marrakesh.

Both meetings adopted outcome documents that present an assessment of the implementation of the Vienna Programme in the regions and provide valuable proposals for the next five years. The Latin America regional meeting will be held at the ECLAC Headquarters in Santiago on 11 and 12 June. in terms of the national level preparations, we have received national reports on the implementation of the VPoA from 20 LLDCs. This is a major and very participatory process which already has and will continue to provide for crucial inputs to feed into the outcome document of the midterm review.

The upcoming report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for the 74th session General Assembly that my Office is currently preparing will be another important input. Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, friends I very much look forward to our open dialogue today. I very much hope we can identify concrete recommendations to feed into the outcome document of the midterm review. 5 Let us never forget that behind it all, this is about the daily lives and futures of women and men and boys and girls ! As I said last night - and I think it is worth repeating - the full implementation of the Vienna Programme is about bringing impact, tangible benefits for the more than 500 million people in the LLDCs.

Now is the opportunity to come up with concrete, targeted initiatives and actions in order to accelerate the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action in the next five years. Now is the time for all of us to rally, to partner for this purpose. The importance of strengthened partnerships and collaboration cannot be overstated. The entire �山��Development system stands ready to support !

We know too well that the LLDCs are at the core of making the 2030 Agenda reality. The LLDCs are amongst the as we say " key beneficiaries " of �山��Development System support and we hope reform. Stronger, highly experienced �山��country presence is vitally important for them.

It is important that the �山��system continues to accord special priority to the economic sectors and to productive capacity building in the LLDCs. It is critical that we continue to support the LLDCs to ensure your continued full engagement in the reform processes and to ensure that LLDCs truly benefit from these efforts. Thank you.

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Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - Advocacy

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Closing Statement at the Ambassadorial Retreat on the Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review on the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

8 May 2019 New York, USA

Opening Statement at the Ambassadorial Retreat on the Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review on the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

8 May 2019 New York, USA

11 June 2019
Santiago, Chile

16 May 2019
Geneva, Switzerland

15 May 2019
Geneva, Switzerland

12 May 2019
Geneva, Switzerland

8 May 2019
New York, USA

8 May 2019
New York, USA