Call for improved cooperation between the UN and Pacific regional organisations

New York, 22 September 22, 2013: Improved cooperation between the United Nations and Pacific regional organisations is called for in a new resolution on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum.

“We welcome this determined resolution on cooperation,” says Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. “Refreshed and strengthened partnerships with the United Nations will help to close the gaps and improve regional cooperation and integration.”

Improved cooperation was one of a series of specific calls on the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat based on commitments made in the 2012 UNSG-PIF Leaders Joint Statement.

Others included:

• Further calls for regular meetings between the UN Secretary-General and Pacific Islands Forum Leaders

• A strong call for progress towards practical implementation of commitments made in the
UN-Forum Joint Statements;

• A call for continued support from the United Nations system for Pacific States and regional organizations to achieve sustainable development, and greater accountability and reporting of the UN support already provided in the region;

• A call for closer practical cooperation and coordination on specific programmes and activities between the UN and Pacific regional organisations;

• A call for “dialogue” between United Nations regional and country teams, Pacific States and other relevant stakeholders on practical ways to achieve an enhanced and effective United Nations presence, particularly at the country level, in the Pacific region

The resolution had 47 co-sponsors. Thirteen Pacific Island Forum members were joined by thirty-four others – Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the US – in attaching their name to the text.