Nauru has become the first Pacific island country to sign the United Nations Pacific Strategy (UNPS) for 2018-2022.
Nauru President Baron Divavesi Waqa, as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Nauru, and United Nations in the Pacific Resident Coordinator Osnat Lubrani jointly signed the UNPS on Tuesday (July 18).
The signing too place after one year of extensive consultations and a final joint review and validation by the UN and Government counterparts, on the occasion of a joint UN mission to Nauru.
The UN Resident Coordinator led the mission, which was comprised of representatives from UNICEF, UNDP and UN Women.
“We are pleased that Nauru was the first to sign the UN Pacific Strategy for 2018-2022. As Chair of the P-SIDS, we are confident that it will serve the countries and the region in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said President Waqa.
Similar discussions have taken place with all other Governments, as well as key partners of the UN across the Pacific, including regional organisations.
“In drafting the UN Pacific Strategy, the UN has sought to respond to national as well as regional priorities. We are excited to have Nauru as the first signatory of the Pacific Strategy and look forward to begin implementation following signature by other Pacific countries”, said Lubrani.
“The Strategy will assist countries to achieve the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), with a fundamental commitment to leave no one behind”, she added.
The UNPS responds to the national priorities of 14 Pacific Countries and Territories, focusing on six priority areas of work, where the UN agencies are committed to working jointly to help countries to achieve the 2030 SDGs of Climate Change, Disaster Resilience, and Environmental Protection, Gender, Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Empowerment, Equitable Basic Services, focusing on Health, Education and Social Protection, Government and Community Engagement, and Human Rights.
Photo Osnat Lubrani/Twitter. Caption: Nauru President Baron Waqa and United Nations in the Pacific Resident Coordinator Osnat Lubrani sign the UNPS 2018-2022