Solomon Islands head of delegation to the 68th Commission on the Status of Women Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs Dr. Cedric Alependava was among the Pacific Islands Forum Ministers and senior officials at a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General, H.E Mr. Antonio Guterres at the opening of the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women on Monday 11th March.
The event, hosted by the Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, H.E Mr. James Larsen provided the opportunity to interact and share with the United Nations Secretary General Pacific Islands Forum members priorities.
The discussions focused on priorities for the 68th Commission on Status of Women, climate, peace and security, Sea-level rise, support for SIDS and Multi-Vulnerable Index and Pacific representation at the United Nations. The Pacific Islands Ministers and senior officials expressed the collective desire of the group to have these priorities, taken into consideration in the negotiations and consultations towards a Pact for the Future, which is expected to be adopted at the Summit of the Future United Nations General Assembly high level week in September, 2024..
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alependava in presenting his remarks during the meeting, highlighted that in these times of uncertainty, the United Nation has proven as a multilateral framework at par excellence to address our global issues and pathway for the future. He stated, the Pact of the Future, will be an important tool that will carry our aspirations, to create the future we want beyond the 2030 agenda, therefore it, must acknowledge and consider the challenges of small islands developing states.
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alependava also highlighted the importance of the climate change-security nexus as a priority for the region and support the collective call for the Pact to include considerations to broaden the scope of the Security Council to address the peace and security implications of climate change, its multiplier for conflict.
Adding to the discussions on the issue of sea level rise, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alependava expressed that Sea level rise as a multifaceted issue the Pacific Islands region cannot address alone. He also stated, that in the face of sea level rise impacts, no effort should be spared to safeguard the rights and statehood affected Member States, as mandated by the PIF leaders in the respective declarations of 2021 and 2023. He also acknowledges the high-level plenary to be convened in September this year=[. -on addressing the impacts of sea level rise, is an opportunity to promote cooperation among the international community on the challenges posed by sea-level
On the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alependava acknowledged the work undertaken by the High level panel, and expressed that Solomon Islands will work with other state parties and partners to garner support for it at the UN.
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alependava also joined other Pacific Islands Forum members in highlighting the need for the UN to take a proactive approach in ensuring unrepresented and underrepresented countries from the Pacific are given due consideration in its recruitment policies. As an international organization, the UN human resources should be reflective of its international status and diversity. Solomon Islands like many PIF countries has been in the underrepresented category for many years. Similarly, Dr. Alependava also called for Solomon Islands’ increased participation in the UN Peace Keeping Mission.
United Nations Secretary General H.E Mr. Guterres expressed solidarity with the Pacific, assured PIF members of UN’s support of the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy. He acknowledged the leadership displayed by Pacific Island countries internationally, through collective political declarations by the PIF, including the Revitalised Leaders’ Declaration on Gender Equality, Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Declarations on Sea-Level Rise, and discussions for a Zone of Peace, as well as in the global discussions on Climate Change, Ocean and Sea-level rise.
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alependava was accompanied by H.E Mrs. Jane Waetara, Permanent Representative of Solomon Islands to the United Nations.
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