Four days of non-stop discussions, sharing and review came to an end on Thursday morning as the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) of the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway accepted the final documents, which would summarise their work. 

The mood was rife with anticipation as Samoa’s ambassador to the United Nations and United States, Aliioaiga Feturi Elisaia, read out the outcomes document to the room, before member States would vote to accept it.

In due course, three nations took the floor to share their approval, and within 15 minutes the paper was passed. The day had been scheduled to run until 4pm, but was well wrapped up by 11:15am, leaving the delegates’ time to mingle, sightsee and make their flights. 

Aliioaiga said discussions held in regional meetings for the Pacific, Caribbean and A.I.M.S (Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Seas) between May and June this year set the groundwork for this week to run smoothly.

“A lot of the groundwork was done in New York, collating all the regional discussion documents and getting input for review,” he said.

 “It all went according to my expectations.”

The discussions this week were largely chaired by Samoa’s C.E.O. for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peseta Noumea Simi. 

On the acceptance of the outcomes document, Peseta said she found the document to be “concise, focused, and action oriented”.

Secretary to the meeting, Heidi Schroderus-Fox (U.N-O.H.L.L.R.S) said the review process is a critical component of getting development happening across S.I.D.S, and fast. 

Meetings were held in panel style, with a variety of delegates sharing presentations on various topics pertaining to the progress of implementing Pathway commitments, the challenges they face and the priorities for S.I.D.S ahead of the review.

In between sessions, side events were held to more deeply explore issues affecting S.I.D.S, such as waste and the waste sector, reproductive health, incorporating sustainable development goals into education, data gathering and many more.

The Samoa Observer understands the outcomes document will be made available soon.