NADI, 1 May 2013 – The needs and priorities expressed by Pacific Island countries and territories will guide the renewed partnership between the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Pacific Office and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
A four-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen the partnership and enhance their joint contribution for the health and development of Pacific Islanders was signed today by both organisations.
‘The new MoU between UNICEF and SPC recognises that our continued team work will reinforce our efforts to ensure that Pacific children and youth grow up in a safe and protected environment and have access to the best health and education services possible,’ said Dr Isiye Ndombi, UNICEF Pacific Representative.
Between them, SPC and UNICEF Pacific cover a range of areas relating to human development, rights, human security and statistics. The revised MoU replaces a previous agreement that was signed in 2008 and ended in 2011.
‘To increase their effectiveness and make the best use of resources, both agencies will harmonise their activities wherever possible in areas where they work together’, said SPC Director-General, Dr Jimmie Rodgers. ‘These activities cover data management, health, education, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaption, water and sanitation, and youth issues.’
He added that ‘this is a collaboration of two key partners which will yield many dividends for Pacific people.’
The partnership between SPC and UNICEF will also cover cross-cutting areas such as policy analysis and advice, technical and financial support, research, development and implementation of programmes, risk reduction strategies and monitoring and evaluation.
SPC’s Director-General and the UNICEF Pacific Representative will oversee the relationship between the two organisations. Annual consultations and regular meetings at both management and technical levels will take place to monitor and review partnership progress.
PRESS RELEASE