The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Pacific will be held at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga Conference Room, Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, 19-21 June 2018.

Background and purpose of the meeting

This regional preparatory meeting is held in pursuant to paragraphs 27 and 28 of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 72/217, which reaffirmed the 2016 General Assembly’s decision (A/RES/71/225) to convene a one-day high-level review, at United Nations Headquarters in September 2019, to review progress made in addressing the priorities of small island developing States through the implementation of the Samoa Pathway. Paragraph 28 called for “regional preparatory meetings of small island developing States in their respective regions, as well as an interregional meeting for all small island developing States, in order to undertake a review of progress in the implementation of the Samoa Pathway at the national and regional levels.”

This meeting will allow SIDS in the Pacific region to assess the progress achieved in the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and identify emerging priorities to be presented at the inter-regional meeting to be held by the end of 2018. This regional meeting will also provide SIDS in the Pacific region the opportunity to discuss possible themes and desirable outcomes of the mid-term review.

Participation

Two (2) representatives from each Pacific country, preferably one from Capital and one from the Permanent Mission in New York, as well as one (1) representative from each Pacific country Associate Member of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will be invited to participate in the meeting.
Notification of nominees should be sent to Mr Matthew Cruz; Email: cruz15@un.org and copied to: tishka.francis@un.org and yarashuk@un.org. Notification of nominees should also be sent to Dr. Palenitina Tiueti, Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs (laupeau@gmail.com and mau.alipate@gmail.com); and the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations (t.suka.mangisi@gmail.com). It would be appreciated if your nominations could be submitted on the attached Nomination Form by close of business, EST. on 23 May 2018.

Financial assistance

Subject to the availability of funding, the cost of a round trip economy class ticket and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) as well as terminal expenses for the two (2) representatives from each Pacific country and one (1) representative from each Pacific country Associate Member of ESCAP will be covered.