Statement
Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Conrod Hunte
1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). We align with the Statement of the Group of 77 and China as delivered by the Distinguished Representative of Pakistan 2. AOSIS wishes to thank Madam DSG Mohammed for her presentation on the report on DCO, in her capacity as Chair of the UNSDG. We would also like to express our appreciation to her and her team for the report and its annexes. However, as mentioned this morning the reports this year were disseminated extremely late, which is unfortunate as we couldn’t review and analyze their contents properly ahead of this session. We believe that this must be improved if we are to enrich our engagements and discussions at the ECOSOC OAS, noting its role as forum for oversight of the UN development system. 3. As the SAMOA Pathway closure is fast approaching, SIDS are dedicated to have a good reporting of its achievements, which we believe is doable as we now have a monitoring and reporting framework. This reporting on the SAMOA Pathway will be crucially important to our development journey as we head into the fourth UN conference for SIDS and our next development blueprint, which we would like to ensure is more focused and targeted on the most critical aspects of our development. 4. Madam DSG, AOSIS is pleased with the changes made in the context of the Multi-Country Offices, in particular the newly opened North Pacific Office and the inclusion of coordination officers in various countries not hosting MCOs. We however wish to `reiterate that the system’s SIDS approach cannot be entirely lodged through the MCO process because not all SIDS are currently serviced through MCOs. 5. AOSIS wishes to thank you Madam DSG, for your assistance in mobilizing the Resident Coordinators for the SIDS Stakeholders Meeting held in Antigua and Barbuda in March 2022. However, it was indeed a lost opportunity not having the participation of all SIDS RCs. We also noted on the contrary the great enthusiasm and turnout by the entities of the UNDS servicing SIDS. This remains very concerning to AOSIS, as we believe the RCs should be more actively involved and following closely issues of critical importance to the constituents they serve. We thank the ones who participated in the meeting, which helped to make it a tremendous success, and we look forward to all the other SIDS RCs engagement in future consultations. 6. Regarding the RC system Results Framework contained in Annex 2 of your report, AOSIS wishes to make the following initial observations: - Firstly, we wish to restate that this framework must center round the objectives and outcomes established by the Secretary-General in his proposals for a repositioned UN development system and the reinvigorated RC system, and in line with the mandates of the QCPR. Its indicators therefore must further support these objectives, outcomes and mandates, giving clear evidence of how they are achieved. -Secondly, we note that there is a level of cherry picking of mandates and objectives. We believe that it is important that the Framework accounts for all the work and actors of the RC system contained under the US$281million budget, so that would be an accounting all levels DCO operates– global, regional and national. -Thirdly, we remind the system that it is extremely important to have this level of transparency and accountability, as we strongly believe there is a correlation with the manner of how the system is funded. The hope is that this will be instrumental in the enhancement of contributionsto the funding of the system. 7. We look forward for an opportunity in the very near future to have a discussion on the Framework and its findings, in an effort that we can together improve it so that its main purpose is achieved. 8. Madam DGS please be assured of AOSIS’ continued constructive engagement and contribution to the continued enhancement of this system, which is so critically important to Small island developing states like ours. I thank you.
