SAMOA HOSTS CRUCIAL WORKSHOP TO ADVANCE RESILIENT PROSPERITY FOR SMALL ISLAND NATIONS
(Photo: Supplied)
In the heart of the Pacific Ocean, Samoa recently hosted a pivotal three-day technical workshop aimed at shaping the future of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The workshop, held from March 11th to 13th, 2024, gathered over 40 key individuals, including government officials and representatives from various organizations, to address the pressing need for a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework. This framework aims to support the successor plan to the SAMOA Pathway, a critical initiative for the sustainable development of small island nations.
The workshop comes ahead of the Fourth International Conference on SIDS (SIDS4), slated to take place in Antigua and Barbuda later in May 2024. With the overarching theme of 'Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity,' SIDS4 holds significant promise for shaping the trajectory of small island nations amid ongoing challenges such as the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the accelerating impacts of climate change.
During the workshop's official proceedings, key figures like Peseta Noumea Simi, the Chief Executive Officer of Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reflected on the challenges and lessons learned from the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway over the past decade. Emphasizing gaps in monitoring and evaluating the pathway's successes and limitations, Simi underscored the need for a robust M&E framework to measure progress accurately.
The significance of the workshop lies in its role as the first step towards ensuring that a comprehensive M&E framework supports the successor plan to the SAMOA Pathway. Without timely and meaningful measurement, the sustainability of SIDS priorities will always be questioned. This sentiment was echoed by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Themba Kalua, who emphasized that it can no longer be 'business as usual.'
The workshop facilitated discussions on various aspects crucial to the development of the M&E framework. These included capacity development for data collection and utilization within SIDS, defining parameters and guiding principles for the framework, and exploring potential targets and indicators. The aim is to create a framework that transcends mere measurement, becoming a catalyst for resilient prosperity in small island nations.
The recommendations forged during the workshop will be presented for endorsement by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in New York. Subsequently, they will be delivered to all Member States at a preparatory committee meeting in April 2024. The coordination of efforts by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and AOSIS highlights the collaborative approach taken towards addressing the challenges faced by SIDS.
As the workshop concluded, it marked a significant milestone in the journey towards resilient prosperity for small island nations. By laying the groundwork for a robust M&E framework, participants have taken a crucial step forward in ensuring that the aspirations of SIDS are met, and their progress towards sustainable development is accurately measured and evaluated. The commitment of all stakeholders, including the UN system and SIDS themselves, underscores the collective determination to overcome challenges and chart a course towards a brighter future for all