SPRING 2015

UN OFFICE OF THE HIGHREPRESENTATIVE FOR THE LEAST DEVELOPEDCOUNTRIES, LANDLOCKEDDEVELOPING COUNTRIESAND SMALL ISLANDDEVELOPING STATES

Advancing Science,Technology andInnovation inVulnerable Countries

2 SPRING 2015

Contents SPRING 2015

EditorialBuilding a Bright Future forVulnerable Countries in 2015and Beyond

By UN-OHRLLS High RepresentativeGyan Chandra Acharya

THE COMMITMENT is edited and published by NoshNalavala at the United Nations in cooperation with theUnited Nations Office of the High Representative forLeast Developed Countries, Landlocked DevelopingCountries and Small Island Developing States. He is theInternational Bureau Chief of Climate SolutionsNetwork, a media agency based in the United Nations.

For information, contact Nosh Nalavala at:

UNITED NATIONSUN Secretariat, S - 330New York, NY 10017

EditorNosh Nalavala

Managing EditorRicardo Z. Dunn

CoordinatorLouise Stoddard

ContributorsLisa Neuner

Fabrice GuerrierJoelle Kouandi Angba

Cover PhotoTanzania,

Zahur Ramji (AKDN), Creative Commons

3

6 Accelerating the Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action

Nosh Nalavala in conversation with Ambassador Jean-Francis Zinsou,Permanent Representative of Benin to the UN and Chair of the LDCGroup

12 Move Toward Greater Access to Science, Technology andInnovation for LDCs

Professor Romain Murenzi, Chair of the Technology Bank High-LevelPanel and Executive Director of the World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science (TWAS) in developing countries talks toThe Commitment

14 SIDS on Track with Renewables TechnologiesAmbassador Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the UN onthe vision of AOSIS

19 A Blueprint for the Sustainable Development GoalsAmina Mohammed, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning, answers questions on the post-2015sustainable development agenda

609.529.6129 climateagenda@gmail.com

Interviews

Also in this issue4 Ambitious 10 Year Action-Plan for LLDCs

7 Greater Effort Needed to Eradicate Extreme Poverty in the World’sMost Vulnerable Nations

8 LDCs in Asia and Pacific Determined to Graduate from World’sPoorest Category

15 Building Capacity for Disaster Risk Reduction

16 Seasonal Worker Joint Venture Comes Full Circle in Vanuatu

17 A Look Back at Big Year for Small Islands

PAGE 8 | A seamstress at work in Cambodia’s

garment sector.

Chhor Sokunthea, World Bank

3SPRING 2015

Gyan Chandra Acharya, Under-Secretary-General

and High Representative for the Least Developed

Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries

and Small Island Developing States

continued on page 4

is imperative that the post 2015global framework and other globalprocesses are made fully responsiveto the needs and expectations of thevulnerable countries. This is both achallenge and an opportunity for usall collectively.

As we move ahead, OHRLLS willcontinue to implement its mandatedactivities, preparing reports andfollowing up on the implementationof the outcome of major conferencesof LLDCs, SIDS and LDCs. We willoffer support, coherence andadvocacy work for the post-2015development framework and theUnited Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change inDecember in Paris. OHRLLS willraise the profile of vulnerablecountry issues at important eventsincluding the conference ondisasters in Sendai, Japan, thefinancing for development meetingin Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the WTOMinisterial meeting in Nairobi,Kenya and of course within thehigh–level UN debates.

We will also continue to effectivelyand consistently pursue our agendawith other stakeholders such as theWorld Bank, Regional DevelopmentBanks, OECD and EmergingCountries forums. Similarly we will intensify our interactions and collaborations withphilanthropic organizations,business organizations, NGOs,academics, the scientific communityand the media.

Building a Bright Futurefor Vulnerable Countries in2015 and Beyond by UN-OHRLLS High Representative Gyan Chandra Acharya

2014 yielded a tapestry of highsand lows for the world’s most

vulnerable nations. Whileincremental gains continue to be made in health, education,gender, economic growth andinfrastructural development, acrossall sectors in the 48 least developedcountries (LDCs), 32 landlockeddeveloping countries (LLDCs) and57 small island developing states(SIDS), conflicts and other setbacksaffected these developmentprospects. In particular, the veryworrying resurgence of the Ebolavirus, which took a deadly toll onthe local population in three LDCs –Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leonehad a negative impact in thesecountries. The crisis demonstratedmost vividly the need for aconsistent and coherent approach tobolstering support to the neediestcountries in a comprehensivemanner.

Last year proved to be busy andcritical in pushing forward thedevelopment agenda. In closecooperation with Member States andthe UN system, we organised the

Second United Nations Conferenceon Landlocked DevelopingCountries in Vienna, a two-dayPrivate Sector Forum at the ThirdUnited Nations Conference on SmallIsland Developing States and twoministerial meetings in capitals ofleast developed countries in additionto many other important events andactivities.

We are all aware, however, that ourwork in 2014 laid the foundationfor 2015, a crucial year forvulnerable countries to firmly placetheir agenda on the global platform.Last year OHRLLS was dedicated tosupporting vulnerable countriesthough analysis, advocacy and thecoordinated mobilization of the UNsystem and beyond. We alsocontributed by articulating theneeds, concerns and expectations ofthe vulnerable country groups in avariety of arena including majorconferences and meetings, whichprovided an opportunity toconsolidate coherent positions anddevelop common approaches onvarious issues of importance tothem.

The coming year will be particularlydemanding and many internationalevents will shape the future work ofthe global community for decades. It

This coming year will be particularly

demanding and many international events

will shape the future work of the global

community for decades.”

– Gyan Chandra AcharyaUnder-Secretary-General and HighRepresentative for the Least DevelopedCountries, Landlocked Developing Countriesand Small Island Developing States

4

Collectively, we must be able toensure that we cover some distancethis year as we set our sights oncreating a firm foundation for an accelerated change andtransformation in the lives of thepeople in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. As the UN celebrates its 70thanniversary, it is rededicating itselfto the timeless vision, commitmentand actions that promote globalpeace and security, sustainabledevelopment, social progress andhuman rights in a coherent andinclusive manner. Indeed, theSustainable Development Goals willbe a singular and far reachingcontribution to mark its 70thanniversary. In today’s volatile and globalized world, such anoverarching global developmentframework is more urgent thanever before. Vulnerable countriesexpect a lot from the United Nationsand rightfully so, as they faceunprecedented and multiplechallenges with only a limitedcapacity and means to deal withthem whilst depending so much on inclusive, equitable andresponsive global frameworksand international solidarity andsupport.

In today’s world there is no dearthof work for OHRLLS and the UN as a whole. But we must keep ourminds fixed on a forward lookingvision, a real and meaningfulchange in policies and globalsustainable developmentframeworks that will sustainablyand inclusively transform the livesof the 1.1 billion individuals wholive in the world’s most vulnerablecountries. It is my hope thatthroughout 2015 we hold thisvision at the forefront in order to ensure a life of dignity andprosperity for all, especially thosethat are at the bottom of thedevelopment ladder.

by Ricardo Z. Dunn

The United Nations GeneralAssembly in November adopted

a 10 year action-plan aimed ataccelerating sustainable developmentin the world’s 32 landlockeddeveloping countries (LLDCs). TheVienna Programme of Action with sixclearly defined priorities encapsulatesa unified stance by the internationalcommunity on a broad array of crucialissues, from concrete steps toward thestructural transformation of LLDCs’economies and infrastructuredevelopment to improvinginternational trade and bolsteringregional integration and cooperation.

“We are strongly committed to theimplementation of the ViennaProgramme of Action to address, in a holistic manner, the specialdevelopment needs and challenges oflandlocked developing countriesarising from their landlockedness,

remoteness and geographicalconstraints,” proclaimed the ViennaDeclaration at the conclusion of theSecond United Nations Conference onLandlocked Developing Countriesattended by more than 1,000participants in the Austrian capital.

The 23-page outcome document wasdescribed by the Secretary-General of the Conference Gyan ChandraAcharya as an important milestone in promoting the development agendaof LLDCs.

The document, for instance, expressesan unambiguous commitment by allgovernments to ensure greateremphasis on reducing transit time,promoting infrastructure developmentand maintenance, ensuring tradefacilitation measures in an acceleratedmanner, besides linking them with thepromotion of economic diversification,structural transformation,connectivity to global value chainsand regional integration. This holisticapproach together with a clear call toensure coherence with the globalprocesses is expected to enable theLLDCs to achieve sustained andsustainable economic growth andensure their meaningful integrationinto the global economy.

“The Vienna conference has come out with a holistic, forward lookingand action oriented program and I clearly see that in the document thathas been adopted,” said Acharya in hisclosing remarks.

Acharya added that the text washolistic in taking up transit, trade,infrastructure issues together withthe regional cooperation, structuraltransformation and coherence with the global processes in apronounced manner as priorities. He further stressed that whilerecognizing the special challengesand vulnerabilities of LLDCs, Member States have stressed that the landlocked countries have totransform themselves into land linked

SPRING 2015

Building a Bright Future forVulnerable Countries...continued from page 3

Ambitious 10 Year Action-Plan for LLDCs

5SPRING 2015

the role of the private sector in thepromoting infrastructure anddevelopment objectives of LLDCs andthe related Sustainable DevelopmentGoals. Participants reiterated that theprivate sector was encouraged by theUN and International Chamber ofCommerce to collaborate further andmove this agenda forward. They

stressed private sector investments askey in enabling LLDCs to diversify andgrow their economies, while calling forgovernment to ensure better enablingenvironment and for the private sectorto pursue responsible businesspractices. Particular emphasis wasplaced on promotion of Small andMedium Enterprises, linkages betweenprivate sectors and public privatepartnerships.

“We have come a long way but the real work begins now,” Acharya said. “We must now move ahead todeliver with determination the Vienna Program of action that we have agreed here withunderstanding, solidarity and supportof all. The international communityhas to deliver on these commitmentsto the 440 million people living in thelandlocked developing countries.”

countries in order to reap full benefitsfrom regional cooperation andglobalization. He explained, that theoutcome document was action-oriented as governments had clearlyspelt out tangible actions to be takenby LLDCs, transit countries anddevelopment partners in each of thesix priority areas identified togetherwith clear national, regional andglobal level implementation,monitoring and review.

Mr. Acharya highlighted that theoutcome document stresses renewedand strengthened partnershipsbetween the LLDCs, transit countriesand development partners within thecontext of north-south as well assouth-south and triangularcooperation. He, however, added thatwhile the action-plan “recognizes that LLDCs have the primaryresponsibility for their owndevelopment” the group of countriesrequire support “to effectively mobilizeadequate domestic and externalresources for effective implementationof the Programme of Action.” Arecurring theme throughout the threeday meeting has been that while theLLDCs have seen incrementaleconomic gains over the past decade,this progress has not made ameaningful dent in the rate of povertyamong this group of countries andthat the progress remained fragile inmany of the LLDCs. Nine of the 15countries at the bottom rung of thedevelopment ladder are landlockedand the vast majority continue to lagbehind their maritime neigbours insocio-economic development. Toremedy this, the Vienna text calls forsupport “in a more coherent manner”which would “contribute to anenhanced rate of sustainable andinclusive growth, which cancontribute to the eradication ofpoverty”. In his closing statement tothe conference, the Foreign Ministerof Austria Sebastian Kurz, who wasalso the President of the Conference,said, “Our overarching goal is clear:generating sustainable and inclusivegrowth to invest in infrastructure, tofacilitate trade and to reduce poverty.”Kurz added that the conference hadbeen “instrumental in exploring new

ways of engaging private sectoractivity and of promoting public-private partnerships and privateinvestments.”

The meeting saw a flurry of activitywith four high-level interactivethematic round-tables and 18 sideevents organized by variousstakeholders in the margins of themeeting on a wide-range of issuesrelevant to the LLDCs, transittransport development, trade capacityenhancement and further integrationinto the regional and global markets.The events gathered Heads of State,Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers,United Nations Secretary General,President of the General Assembly andHeads and senior representatives frominternational organizations whoshared their views and experiences onhow to enhance LLDCs’ economicdiversification and competitivenessthrough strengthened investmentsand policy measures in the areas oftransport, infrastructure developmentand trade facilitation, sustainableenergy and sustainable transport,through partnerships on vocationaltraining, through increasedregionalization of aid for trade, andparticularly for landlocked leastdeveloped countries, through effectiveimplementation of the EnhancedIntegrated Framework. Other topicscovered by side events were climate-smart agriculture, connectivitychallenges, the role of migration andthe special challenges of mountainousLLDCs.

A day-long Business and InvestmentForum brought together businessleaders, government officials fromlandlocked countries and transitcountries, as well as developmentpartners. Delegates attending theForum agreed on the importance of

Our overarching goal is clear: generating sustainable

and inclusive growth to invest in infrastructure, to

facilitate trade and to reduce poverty.”

– Sebastian KurzForeign Minister of Austria

Press Conference at the Second United Nations

Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries,

Vienna, November 2014. USG Gyan Acharya (left),

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (middle), Foreign

Minister of Austria, Sebastian Kurz (right)

6 SPRING 2015

NN Which countries are benefitingfrom these programmes?

JFZ Bangladesh has successfullyimplemented the programme in twoways: they have brought togethercommunities and also the entire regionhas benefitted from these programmes.This helps local communities to getfinancial assistance directly from the funds toward mitigation andadaptation. This empowerscommunities. But in general LDCs donot benefit from these funds, becausethey do not have the capacity. That iswhy under the SDGs we feel thatcommunities will be empowered bybuilding resilience against the impactof climate change.

NN You have talked about ODA.Should LDCs move away from ODAand focus on sustainable development?

JFZ This is an important issue,because ODA needs to be adjusted in the framework of sustainability.Funding for the SDGs remains a major issue, but also the means ofimplementation. We think that ODAwill be better used to catalyze activitiesthat can be game changers for LDCs.We need to focus on activities that arevalue-added at the local level, activitiesthat have a multiplier effect. ODAshould be used to accelerate growth inthe LDCs. LDCs are opening up to newpartnerships for social and economictransformation by productive jobcreation.

INTERVIEW

Accelerating theImplementation of theIstanbul Programme ofActionNosh Nalavala inconversation withAmbassador Jean-FrancisZinsou, PermanentRepresentative of Benin to the UN and Chair of the LDC Group

Nosh Nalavala Ambassador, ashead of the LDC Group, could you tellus the achievements of the Group intangible terms?

Ambassador Jean-FrancisZinsou The LDC Group has beensteadfast in its commitment towardsimplementing the Istanbul Programmeof Action (IPoA) and focusing on LDCpriorities.

NN And what are these priorities?

JFZ In 2011 a programme of actionwas negotiated with the cleardetermination and vision of halvingthe number of LDCs by 2020. And weset eight priorities, with a focus onproductive capacity. What we aretrying is a shift towards higherproductivity. This will create morewealth locally and increase the overallrevenue of LDCs.

NN As a follow-up, are there any newmeasures you are initiating towardsstrengthening the implementationprocess for LDCs?

JFZ Yes, we are. As Chair of the LDCsmy job is to help LDCs understand thevision of the IPoA. That is precisely thereason why in July last year, Beninorganized a ministerial conferencededicated to the issue of productivecapacity under the banner, NewPartnerships for Productive CapacityBuilding in the LDCs.

NN As we transition from the MDGsto the SDGs, do you see a major shift inthe fortunes of the LDCs?

JFZ Earlier it was very difficult totalk about the eradication of poverty.We always talked about reduction ofpoverty by half under the MDGs. TheLDCs were not able to accomplish thegoals. Under the SDGs, eradication ofpoverty has been set as a goal forsustainability, we have set goals toeradicate poverty in the next 15 yearsand the LDCs stand to gain from thesegoals. With the SDGs we are changingthe scope of mobilization to tackle themajor problem for LDCs, which ispoverty.

NN There is certainly an overlap ofissues affecting least developedcountries, landlocked developingcountries and small islands. How canthese agendas coalesce more broadly?

JFZ Countries in special situationshave special needs and those situationshave to be addressed in a specificsetting. The IPoA is designed toaddress the constraints of LDCs. LLDCs have problems with remotenessand being landlocked and SIDS withclimate change. I believe that all threeprogrammes of action should beimplemented in synergy.

NN What is being done for women inLDCs to combat the impact of climatechange?

JFZ We are working with UNagencies like United Nations CapitalDevelopment Fund (UNCDF) to initiateprogrammes among marginalizedcommunities. This is a programme thatis driven by communities through localfunding facilities put into place byrespective LDC governments.

Ambassador Jean-Francis Zinsou of Benin

UN Photo, Rick Bajornas

7SPRING 2015

Greater Effort Needed toEradicate Extreme Povertyin the World’s MostVulnerable Nations

Afar greater effort is needed forthe world’s 48 most vulnerable

countries to eradicate extremepoverty by 2020, according to areport launched by UN-OHRLLS inOctober 2014.

The study demonstrates how sincethe 2011 Istanbul action-plan, theleast developed countries (LDCs) haveseen incremental economic and socialgains, mainly because of an increasein public spending and strongerinvestment and activity in mining,construction, manufacturing andservice sectors. The report however

cautions that despite the uptick, theLDCs continue to be among the mostvulnerable to external shocks, suchas economic crises, climate-relatedevents, natural disasters and health-related threats. The recent outbreakof Ebola, which is concentrated in 3 LDCs, highlights the importance of comprehensively addressing theLDCs’ structural vulnerability,requiring joint efforts by countriesand their development partners. Italso underscores that deepeninginequality threatens to exacerbateexisting poverty with implicationsfor political and social stability inthese countries.

The study identifies four maindeterminants of the reduction ofextreme poverty in the LDCs: genderinequality, institutional frameworks,infrastructure development andservice delivery, and external factors.

The authors encourage leadership at the national level to implementpolicies that improve service delivery,address gender inequality and enablethe poor to acquire investment assetsthat can improve their future income.Women and girls are especially inneed of better access to economicopportunities through vocational andmanagerial skills training. Further,the report argues, greater access toland, technology and finance areintegral to boost growth in the LDCs and reduce inequality. “Theeffectiveness of all policies, in theirformulation and implementation,critically depends on sound nationalinstitutions,” the report notes.

The study recommends thatgovernments ensure their efforts toincrease domestic revenue aredesigned in ways that curbinequality. It also stresses that in

order to increase public resourcemobilization, fiscal policies need topromote public investment that issustainable.

While governments are encouragedto take the lead on nationaldevelopment, the report highlightsthe importance of developmentpartners in supporting the LDCs.“Actions by LDC developmentpartners on trade, officialdevelopment assistance (ODA), andother forms of external finance,including foreign direct investment,and technology transfer andacquisition will determine progressin ending poverty to a large degree,”the report says. It adds that theUnited Nations Secretary-General’sproposal for a technology bank andan international investment supportcentre for the LDCs could play animportant role in upgradingproductive capacity, and leveragingthe growth and poverty eradicationeffects of technology transfer andFDI inflows.

The reports concludes by calling for greater attention to be paid toeradicating extreme poverty in theLDCs within the on-going post-2015development agenda, especially sincemost of these countries will missmost of the Millennium Development Goals.

Trading at the highland market of Dorze, Ethiopia.

Shifaan Thowfeequ

State of the Least Developed Countries 2014 Report

8 SPRING 2015

LDCs in Asia and Pacific Determined toGraduate from World’s Poorest Category

by Louise Stoddard

Least Developed Countries (LDCs)in Asia and the Pacific voiced a

strong determination to graduatefrom their LDC status at theconclusion of a Ministerial Meetingin Kathmandu, Nepal in December2014.

Hosted by the Government of Nepal,with support from OHRLLS, themeeting enabled Ministers andhigh-level officials to discuss waysin which LDCs in Asia and thePacific, can aspire to graduate fromthe LDC category and consider thelessons learnt by former LDCs.During three days of discussion andpresentations from LDCs in Asia

and the Pacific, participants focusedon how the graduation process canbe supported by strong nationalstrategies and mainstreamed intodevelopment cooperation strategies.Discussions also centred aroundhow graduation can link effectivelywith the Istanbul Programme ofAction’s midterm review in 2016and the post-2015 developmentagenda.

A Kathmandu Declaration forSustainable Graduation of Asia-Pacific LDCs was adopted at theclose of the meeting whichemphasized that graduation fromthe LDC category should not be seenas an end goal, rather as a means torealize fundamental structural

transformation, and build resilienteconomies which will help achievethe sustainable development goals.

“Graduation from the LDC categoryis a major milestone but it is onlypart of the journey,” said Mr. GyanChandra Acharya, Under-Secretary-General and High Representativefor the Least Developed Countries,Landlocked Developing Countriesand Small Island Developing States.“At this dawn of a new era fordevelopment, we must be steadfastin our commitments to ensure thatthe graduation and sustainabledevelopment of LDCs arecornerstones of the emergingsustainable development goals”. He further added that while strong

A seamstress at work in Cambodia’s garment sector. Chhor Sokunthea, World Bank

9SPRING 2015

USG Acharya (middle) speaks at the Ministerial Meeting of Least Developed Countries from Asia and the Pacific, Kathmandu, Nepal, December 2014.

echoed this sentiment. “Thetimeliness of this meeting can notbe over-emphasized as it wouldprovide useful inputs to theupcoming major events – FFD,SDGs and Post-2015 Developmentagenda and climate deal.”

The adopted Declaration calls forsupport and cooperation on tradeintegration, investment promotion,infrastructure, connectivity, energy,water, climate change and disasterrisk reduction and other relevantareas.

national leadership and ownershipis key to graduation, “It is equallycritical that there is an enhancedlevel of support from thedevelopment partners throughdelivery on aid commitments,investment promotion and traderelated support measures”.

Participants at the event stressedthe importance of improvedproductive capacity in order tofoster structural transformation foraccelerated and inclusive growth,employment generation and poverty

eradication. They emphasized theneed to mobilize enhanced levels of domestic and external resourcesfor infrastructure development,access to energy and structuraltransformation, secure substantialsocial progress, including genderequality and youth employment,and improve resilience againsteconomic and climate related shocksto ensure sustainable developmentand the realization of the post-2015development agenda. Mr. MahendraBahadur Pandey, Minister forForeign Affairs for Nepal also

At this dawn of a new era for development, we must be steadfast in our

commitments to ensure that the graduation and sustainable development of

LDCs are cornerstones of the emerging sustainable development goals.”

– Gyan Chandra AcharyaUnder-Secretary-General and High Representative forthe Least Developed Countries, Landlocked DevelopingCountries and Small Island Developing States

2014HIGHLIGHTS FOR

OHRLLS

Mr. Sushil Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal officially opens the LDC

Ministerial Meeting for Asia and the Pacific, Kathmandu, December

2014.

Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Director of UN-OHRLLS, takes part in a

discussion on the challenges of small states organised by IPI and

the NZ Mission, May 2015.

USG Acharya addresses the Second United Nations Conference on

Landlocked Developing Countries, November 2014.

Mr. Thomas Boni Yayi, President of Benin, addresses participants

at the opening of the LDC Ministerial meeting in Cotonou, Benin,

July 2014.

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon addresses a private sector

luncheon at LLDC2, Vienna, November 2014.

Standing room only at the launch of the State of the

Least Developed Countries Report 2014. October 2014.

UN Secretary General, Bank Ki-moon joins participants at OHRLLS' Private Sector Partnerships Forum in Saoma,

August 2014.

OHRLLS and the UN Secretary General join crew on board the Hōkūle‘a, a Polynesian vessle navigating the world and

stopping off at the SIDS Conference in Samoa. August 2014.

12 SPRING 2015

Developed Countries outlines how thescientific research and innovation baseneeds to be nurtured in LDCs to promotenetworking among researchers andresearch institutions, help them accessand utilize critical technologies, anddraw together bilateral initiatives andsupport by multilateral institutions andthe private sector, building on existinginternational initiatives. If you’re ascientist in an LDC, but you lackcomputers and broadband, then even ifyou can gather data, how do you analyseit? How do you store it? How do youshare it with colleagues? The risk isthat, while other countries advance, theLDCs fall further behind.

LS Can you explain why a TechnologyBank for LDCs is needed?

RM All of the LDCs aspire to moveforward in the areas of science,technology and innovation. Despite thisthey have not been able to move beyondoutdated technologies that characterizetheir production processes and outputs.The acquisition of new technologies and

INTERVIEW

Professor Romain Murenzi, Chair of theTechnology Bank High-Level Panel andExecutive Director of the World Academy ofSciences for the Advancement of Science(TWAS) in developing countries talks to TheCommitment about how the proposed newTechnology Bank could improve access to

science, technology and innovation for LDCs.

The State of Broadband 2014, detailedhow over two thirds of people indeveloping countries are not connectedto the internet. The situation is evenmore concerning in the 48 leastdeveloped countries, home to around 900 million people, where over 90% ofthe population are not online.

There are many programmes whichinclude some of the regions that LDCsare located but the Secretary General’sreport found that few of these weresolidly building capacity in science andtechnology from the bottom up. TheIstanbul Programme of Action for Least

Louise Stoddard Could you pleasegive an overall assessment of thechallenges and opportunities facingLDCs in regards to technology?

Professor Romain Murenzi The2013 report of the Secretary General of the UN to the General Assembly onthe Technology Bank found that thecurrent global initiatives on science andtechnology were not sufficientlyservicing the needs of Least DevelopedCountries (LDCs) – the countries that aremost in need of assistance in this area.The Broadband Commission’s report,

School girls use a computer in Haiti.

Move Toward Greater Access to Science,Technology and Innovation for LDCs

13SPRING 2015

feasibility study with its recommend -ation on the operationalization of theTechnology Bank. The UN GeneralAssembly decided that the Bank will beoperational during its 70th session,which will begin in September 2015, if so recommended by the Panel.

LS How will the three elements of theTechnology Bank [Science, Technologyand Innovation] be highlighted in theSDGs?

RM I am very encouraged that theoutcome of the Open Working Group onSustainable Development Goals agreedupon last year by the UN Member States,as well as the synthesis report of theSecretary-General on the post-2015development agenda, both containedprovisions as regards operationalizationof the Technology Bank. Given the broadscope of SDGs, the three arms of theBank, namely science, technology andinnovation capacity building, the PatentsBank and repository facility, will haveimportant roles in scaling up theimplementation of the these goals. It should be recalled that LDCs missedout on realization of most of the MDGs,and such scaling up will contributecritically to timely realization of theSDGs. Therefore, effectiveness of theTechnology Bank in delivering on itsmandate is of utmost importance in thecontext of advancing the post-2015development agenda and SDGs in thesecountries.

LS Will the Bank serve the needs ofwomen in LDCs and do any of the threeelements help towards climate changeadaptation?

RM You must have noticed that theSecretary-General of the United Nationshas ensured 50-50 representation ofwomen and men on his High-level Panel,which I particularly welcome as a signof his commitment to ensuring that the Technology Bank pays particularattention to the needs of the women. We will do our utmost to respond to hisintent while establishing the functionsof the Bank. As regards climate changeadaptation, for LDCs it is an existentialissue. Many LDCs are small islands andare exposed to the impact of sea level riseand natural calamities. Other LDCs alsosuffer from a variety of environmentaland climate change risks inherent intheir fragile eco-systems. We will payparticular attention to technologicalsolutions which would help LDCs adapteffectively and in a timely manner toclimate change challenges.

the building of domestic capacity and aknowledge base, to be able to fully utilizeacquired technologies, are needed forsocio-economic transformation of theLDCs, as well as to help them effectivelyconfront the emerging challenges, suchas climate change, public healthemergencies, natural disasters etc. TheITU has found that in 19 of the world’sLDCs, most of which are in Africa, themonthly cost of broadband exceedsaverage monthly earnings. Support anddevelopment of these sectors should helpto bridge the digital divide in LDCs. A Technology Bank would reduce thetechnology gap in support of rapidpoverty eradication and sustainabledevelopment. An initiative that isspecifically dedicated to LDCs wouldcomprehensively assist these mostvulnerable countries. While theTechnology Bank will have its owndistinct work programmes aimed atbridging the LDCs’ technology gap, it will also build on the work done in other relevant organizations byestablishing close links with them.

LS Where did the idea for aTechnology Bank originate?

RM The fourth decennial UNConference on the Least DevelopedCountries (LDC-IV), which met inIstanbul, Turkey in May 2011, stronglyvoiced the need for a multilateral effortto advance and accelerate science and technology among LDCs. TheConference called for further analysis ofthe needs of LDCs in this area with theaim of establishing a Technology Bankand Science, Technology andInformation Supporting Mechanism,dedicated to LDCs. This would helpimprove their scientific research andinnovation base, promote networkingamong researchers and researchinstitutions and help these countriesaccess and utilize critical technologies.

This analysis was presented in the reportof the Secretary-General to the UNGeneral Assembly that I just referenced.Upon consideration of this report, theAssembly requested that the Secretary-General establish a High-level Panel tofurther elaborate, via a feasibility study,on the functions, organizational andfunding aspects of the Technology Bankand its institutional linkages with theUnited Nations.

LS What is the current state of play inregards to establishing the TechnologyBank and what is your involvement inthis process?

RM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonannounced the formation of a High-LevelPanel in November 2014 at the requestof the UN General Assembly. I have thepleasure of chairing this panel of expertsfrom the field, which will study thescope and functions of the proposedTechnology Bank. We held the firstmeeting of the High Level Panel inTurkey from 16-17 February 2015,where we discussed in-depth the variousaspects of the feasibility study. It was avery successful meeting. All members ofthe Panel agreed on the need andimportance of the Technology Bank forLDCs and the value it will add to thesocio-economic advancement of thesecountries. We have provided guidance tothe Secretariat of the High Level Panelon the preparation of the feasibilitystudy in time for our next meeting inJuly 2015.

LS Can you tell me more about theHigh-Level Panel and what its maintask will be?

RM I think it’s very positive to see thatas a panel we are an incrediblyrepresentative, including five womenand five men from LDCs anddevelopment partners from the global North and South.

The Secretary-General indicated that he wants us to prepare practicalrecommendations which can provide a strong impetus to acceleratingstructural transformation andsustainable development of the LDCsthrough the establishment of theTechnology Bank. So in essence we willassess the feasibility of the TechnologyBank in terms of its ability to have apositive impact on LDCs. Collectively we will address questions relating to technology transfer, includingintellectual property rights issues andhow to leverage existing internationalinitiatives and strengthen LDCs’ owndomestic capacities in the areas ofScience, Technology and Innovation. As I have already mentioned, our firstmeeting has asked the Secretariat toprepare the feasibility study, which will cover all these areas. It will alsopropose institutional linkages of theTechnology Bank with the UnitedNations.

LS What is the timeline for theprocess?

RM The High Level Panel is expected tocomplete its work in summer 2015. Thepanel is mandated to undertake the

14 SPRING 2015

INTERVIEW

SIDS on Track withRenewables Technologies

Ambassador Sareer with

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

billion figure was supposed to beavailable for 2015. The currentcommitments are spread over severalyears and are thus well short of thatgoal. Moving forward, it will beessential that adequate funds are madeavailable and that there are systems in place that recognize that uniquechallenges SIDS have in accessing the funds.

NN What outcome do you foresee atCOP21 in Paris in relation to SIDS?

AS I am optimistic that we will makeimportant progress in Paris, but it’s tooearly to predict the outcome. We have alot of work to do in the coming weeksand months to ensure that we are ontrack for an ambitious treaty. I hope tospeak with as many parties as possibleacross the development spectrum toreach a satisfactory agreement.

NN Many SIDS now recognize theneed to move towards low-carbon,climate resilient economies. DoesAOSIS advise its Member States thatinstead of relying on fossil fuelimports, renewable technologies willmake them more sustainable?

AS I think it is well known thatrenewables are the way to go for anumber of reasons that are widelyrecognized across SIDS and around the world. Renewables and energyefficiency technologies have importantco-benefits, such as public health,energy security, and huge cost savings,to name only a few. SIDS have knownthis for a long time now. We are reallywaiting for everyone else to getonboard!

Ambassador AhmedSareer, PermanentRepresentative ofMaldives to the UN on the vision of the Allianceof Small Island States(AOSIS)

Nosh Nalavala SIDS are low-lyingcoastal countries that are facinginsurmountable challenges, includingsmall but growing populations, limitedresources, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters and fragileenvironments. Since Maldives is at thehelm of AOSIS, what is your vision forthe upcoming years?

Ambassador Ahmed Sareer Iwould not characterize our situation as“insurmountable”. I agree, we do face aunique set of challenges, recognized byour special status. But our vision forthe next few years and decades is tofocus on the many solutions that existto tackle climate change that are justawaiting implementation

NN The International Year of SIDScomes to an end this year. How do yousee the SAMOA Pathway in terms of

the implementation of its programmeof action?

AS The SAMOA Pathway is theproduct of close cooperation betweenSIDS, our partners, and reflects some of the latest insights on howsustainable development works best on the ground. We now want to see afocus on mobilizing the means ofimplementation needed to put thesegood ideas to work.

NN The theme of the Samoaconference was: “the sustainabledevelopment of SIDS through genuineand durable partnerships.” What typesof partnerships do you visualize goingforward, especially as we transitionfrom the MDGs to the SDGs?

AS Part of what we have learned overthe past few decades with sustainabledevelopment is that programmes workbest when they are designed in light ofthe distinct national circumstances inthe places where they are implemented.We see partnerships that recognize thisreality as being key to success movingforward.

NN How vital is the outcome of theupcoming Third World Conference onDisaster Risk Reduction for SIDS inlight of the post-2015 framework onDRR?

AS It’s critical, especially with theintensifying extreme weather impactsof climate change, it is crucial that wefocus on DRR. But my word of cautionis that reducing risk is not and shouldnot be used as a substitute for takingthe action needed to lower thegreenhouse gas emissions responsiblefor the crisis immediately.

NN With the Green Climate Fund(CGF) achieving an initial threshold of$ 10 billion at COP20 in Lima, what areyour hopes for the fund to contribute toSIDS adaptation strategies? (The aim ofthe fund is to raise $100 billion by2020).

AS We certainly saw positivemovement in regards to the GCF aheadof Lima, and it is encouraging that themechanism is starting to capitalize.But we must remember, that the $10

15SPRING 2015

Building Capacity for Disaster RiskReduction

by Lisa Neuner

Representatives from smallislands, the private sector, civil

society and the United Nationsgathered in Singapore in Novemberfor a capacity-building seminaraimed at enhancing disasterpreparedness. The meeting,organized by The UN Division forSustainable Development incooperation with UN-OHRLLS andthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs ofSingapore, is considered part of thefollow-up to the Third InternationalConference on SIDS held in Samoain 2014 as well as a stepping-stonefor the Third World Conference onDisaster Risk Reduction (DRR),

which will be held in Sendai, Japan in March 2015.

Participants attending the meetingfocused on ways to improvecollaboration among countries indealing with disasters by buildingand expanding the capacity ofparticipants in their respectivefields of operation and homecountries. The importance of aholistic and coordinated approach to DRR in the context of SIDS wasstressed by Mr. Gyan ChandraAcharya, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries,Landlocked Developing Countriesand Small Island Developing Stateswho noted during his openingremarks that, ‘enhancing disaster

risk reduction will requireendeavours ranging fromimproving access to technology,access to financing for earlywarning systems, building adaptiveand institutional capacities, sharingbest practices, utilizing traditionalknowledge and mainstreaming ofdisaster risk reduction into allsectors of society’.

The three-day event included ninesessions on disasters managementwhich covered environmentalprotection, public awareness,financing and resourcemobilization, recovery andrebuilding, and infrastructureprotection, among others.

Building Seawalls. Tarawa, Kiribati Lauren Day, World Bank

continued on page 16

Source: Pacific Periscope

Seasonal Worker JointVenture Comes Full Circlein Vanuatu

W hat began as a joint venturebetween a Kiwi employer and

his Pacific Island seasonal workershas entered a new phase with theVanuatu based JV companyexporting merchandise to NewZealand.

Tanna Famas’ directors Jono Bushelland Jason Kennard established theJV with Vanuatu seasonal workerand farmer Seth Kaurua a couple ofyears ago. Now the company hasbegun exporting virgin coconut oiland soap from the country’s pristineTanna Island to some of NewZealand’s upmarket stores.

Deli café Zarbo in Auckland’s upscaleNewmarket and retail stores such asNeatMeat and other retail stores inBlenheim (Burleigh Deli Café andHealth Foods) and Christchurch arealready selling the company’smerchandise. Mr. Kennard says theyhave also exported a commonlyserved food item in Vanuatu calledSimburo. Tanna Famas has inaddition supplied cassava andkumara to a food manufacturer,

bought the finished product and soldit in New Zealand.

They want to start by sellingSimburo initially to the ni-VanuatuRecognised Seasonal Employment(RSE) scheme workers who areworking on farms in different partsof New Zealand and eventuallyintroduce it to the local restaurants.Simburo was also introduced duringthe Fine Food 2014 Show inMelbourne last September. Mr.Bushell says the company has astock of virgin coconut oil inAuckland’s warehouse ready forpackaging and distribution todifferent buyers in New Zealand.

Tanna Famas has 25 employees andmost of these employees are eitherformer RSE workers or underapprenticeship as potential RSEworkers to New Zealand’shorticulture and viticultureindustries. The potential RSEworkers undergo training for 6weeks and the supervisor in thefarm, who is formerly a RSE worker,is teaching them the basic farming

techniques. Their 7-hectare lease land grows coffee and fruits andvegetables such as watermelon,cassava, kumara, kava, lemon grass,among others.

Mr. Bushell, Mr. Kennard and Mr. Karua presented their successful andnoteworthy JV initiative at the pre-SIDS (Small Islands DevelopingStates) Private Sector PartnershipsForum in Apia on August 30 lastyear. The initiative was alsoshowcased at the third SeasonalWorkers Programme Conferencehosted by the Australian Governmenton the Gold Coast last year.

Pacific Islands Trade & Invest (PT&I)New Zealand offices, which has beenassociated with the RSE scheme since inception, and Vanuatu’sCommissioner of Labour have togetherassisted in the formation of the JV.

Tanna Famas’ organic virgin coconut oil at meat

outlet Neatmeat in Auckland’s Ponsonby.

16 SPRING 2015

Each of the hour-long sessionsconsisted of lectures, presentationsand follow-up group discussions,and provided a forum for sharingbest practices and lessons learnedregarding infrastructure,community-based solutions, financeand resource mobilization andpartnerships with the private sector.Additionally, three sessions focusedon the unique experiences of

Singapore in regards to DRR,particularly highlighting the caseof the SARS (severe acuterespiratory syndrome) crisis in2003 and the country’s successfulresponse. At the end of the seminar,participants reviewed the keymessages and recommendations ofthe event, endorsing a wide range offindings and recommendations in afinal report They stressed the needfor more collaboration andcoordination amongst SIDS, theintegration of local efforts into thewider, national sphere, as well asthe urgent need for eco-system-based protection solutions.

On the margins of the seminar, anExpert Group Meeting (EGM) onPartnerships and CollaborativeApproaches to Disaster RiskReduction in SIDS Municipalitieswas convened to explore solutions tothe vulnerabilities and challenges ofSIDS in regard to the increasingoccurrence and intensity of naturaldisasters, impact of sea-level riseand other risks posed by climatechange.

Building Capacity forDisaster Risk Reduction...continued from page 15

17SPRING 2015

partnerships, initiatives andrecommendations and acknowledgedthe importance of entrepreneurshipand private business initiatives forSIDS’ sustainable development.

OHRLLs brokered a partnershipwith iTunes over this period, tofeature a special category for islandmusic on their iTunes store. Artistsfrom every Island were represented,creating a musical backdrop ofIsland voices for the world to listento during the Samoa meeting.

Samoa also saw the arrival of aPolynesian Voyaging Crew, as theysailed around the world on canoes,using only traditional methods ofnavigation. OHRLLS arranged forthe group to stop in Samoa tohighlight the contribution that small

continued on page 18

A Look Back at Big Year for Small Islands

by Lisa Neuner

The 2014 International Year ofSmall Island Developing States

(SIDS) celebrated the contributionthat these nations have made to the world and highlighted thechallenges they face such as climatechange and rising sea levels.

The global launch of the year tookplace at UN Headquarters in NewYork on 24 February 2014 and wasattended by SIDS representativesand senior UN Officials. In hisstatement at the event UN SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki-moon said, “TheInternational Year will offer us theopportunity to highlight theparticularly severe and complexchallenges faced by Small IslandDeveloping States due to their

special vulnerabilities andcharacteristics”.

Events around the InternationalYear peaked in September whenrepresentatives from 115 countries,over 3,500 policymakers, businessleaders and stakeholders from civilsociety and the private sectorgathered in Apia, Samoa for theThird International Conference onSIDS.

Under the slogan “Island Voices,Global Choices” participants inSamoa discussed a myriad of issues including climate change,environmental protection and accessto energy. In the spirit of promotingpartnerships UN-OHRLLS co-organised a two day Private SectorPartnerships Forum preceding theevent. This contributed to thesuccessful conclusion of 20

Timor-Leste. Children play in the waters off Atauro Island. Louise Stoddard

18 SPRING 2015

islands make to the health of theworld’s oceans. Secretary GeneralBan Ki-moon and other participantsin Samoa joined the voyagers for ashort trip around the Samoan coastline.

Throughout 2014 numerous UNInternational Days and UN entitiesalso tailored their activities to reflectthe International Year’s attention onSIDS. A conference on “Equality forWomen is Progress for All – Viewsfrom the Small Island DevelopingStates” was held on InternationalWomen’s Day in March in Paris,

France. The International Day forBiological Diversity on 22 May 2014focused on Island Diversity.Furthermore, World EnvironmentDay on 5 June 2014 celebrated SIDS’resilience under the slogan of “RaiseYour Voice, Not the Sea Level” andculminated in numerous events

worldwide, including a ‘Tweetathon’using the popular hashtag#islands2014.

On a regional level, countries acrossthe world organized a multitude ofnational and local events andworkshops to celebrate the year. On 24 April 2014, the International

A Look Back at Big Yearfor Small Islands...continued from page 17

Cultural Opening Ceremony of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States. UN Photo: Evan Schneider

The 2014 International Year of Small Island

Developing States (SIDS) celebrated the

contribution that these nations have made to

the world and highlighted the challenges they

face such as climate change and rising sea

levels.

19SPRING 2015

INTERVIEW

A Blueprint for theSustainable DevelopmentGoalsAmina J. Mohammed, theSecretary-General’sSpecial Adviser on Post-2015 DevelopmentPlanning, answersquestions on the post-2015 sustainabledevelopment agenda.

Nosh Nalavala Ms. Mohammed, asAdviser to the UN Secretary-Generalon the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), what is your role?

Amina Mohammed Amongstother things, my job is to advise theSecretary-General and assist him incoordinating the planning of the UN system and mobilizing allconstituencies in support of a new,effective, transformative sustainabledevelopment agenda.

Amina Mohammed, the UN Secretary-General’s

Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development

Planning.

continued on page 20

UN Photo: Mark Garten

Hōkūle‘a Image ® Polynesian Voyaging Society. Photo © ‘Ōiwi TVCanoe voyage.

the environmental impact of theiractions and make the country moreresilient in the face of climatechange.

After a year of activities TheInternational Year comes to a closeon 24 February with a closingceremony at the United Nations inNew York.

Year was officially launched at theCaribbean level in Kingston,Jamaica, honouring theachievements of Caribbean SIDS andtheir cultural heritage. The launchshowcased regional talents with avariety of performances by dancetroupes, drummers, poetry readingsand the University of the West Indiessteel pan ensemble.

The Seychelles celebrated theInternational Year with an initiativesupporting the planting of 52endemic trees by a group of studentsfrom the southern regions of

Seychelles to represent the 52 SmallIsland Developing States. In Athens,Greece, a meeting on “ManagingGroundwater in Coastal Areas andSIDS” co-convened by the UNESCOInternational HydrologicalProgramme shared experiencesthroughout the Mediterraneanregion and beyond in groundwaterand coastal management lessons andmanagement of marine andfreshwater resources.

A “Green the Red Dot, Join theMovement” campaign in Singapore,as part of Eco Action Day 2014,encouraged participants to reduce

20 SPRING 2015

NN Could you please explain whythere was a need to replace theMillennium Development Goals(MDGs), considered a success, withthe SDGs?

AM The MDGs were a huge successwhich mobilized the internationalcommunity as never before. Progresshas been remarkable but there is stillconsiderable work to do. The MDGshave helped to end poverty for some,but not for all. The SDGs must finishthe job and leave no one behind. TheSDGs must help us build the futurewe want, a future free from povertyand one that is built on human rights,equality and sustainability.

NN What is the distinction thenbetween the MDGs and SDGs?

AM They are similar yet different.The MDGs focused on key concernssuch as poverty reduction, access toeducation and combating diseases likeHIV/AIDS, and in all areas, significantprogress has been made, althoughmuch remains to be done. The newpost-2015 development agenda willseek to reinforce commitment toachieve all MDGs as well as break newground with goals on inequality,economic growth, decent jobs, energy,climate change, sustainableconsumption and production, peaceand justice, among others, withenvironmental protection cross-cutting across the whole agenda.

NN The MDGs had 8 Goals. TheSDGs have 17 Goals with a number oftargets. What is the likelihood of thevulnerable countries achieving theserather ambitious goals by 2030?

AM Special attention is required forthe most vulnerable, in particularAfrican countries, the least developedcountries, the landlocked developingcountries and the small islanddeveloping States. They will requireadditional international cooperation to complement their efforts to worktoward the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.

NN That said, what role has the mostvulnerable nations played in theformulation of the SDGs?

AM The SDGs are for all countries.They are universal and should beachieved by all countries, for thebenefit of all people. They must alsopromote international cooperation toassist people in the most vulnerablecountries.

NN There is a common threadrunning between Goals 13, 14 and 15— Climate Change and its impact onthe planet. Could we conclude that theSDGs have a strong climate agenda?

AM The environment has alwaysbeen a major dimension of sustainabledevelopment and we are seeing thatenvironmental degradation aroundthe world is exacerbating poverty andincreasing misery and hardship formillions of people. These goalsaddress a range of environmentalchallenges, from supportingsustainable ecosystems, conservingocean resources, and tackling climatechange. Unless we address issuesenvironmental protection issues aswell as climate change, throughreducing emissions and buildingclimate resilience, we stand littlechance of making further progresstowards the elimination of poverty.That is why the Secretary-Generalidentified the planet as one of hisproposed essential elements to helpframe the sustainable developmentagenda.

NN Goal 5 clearly indicates thatthere is an ever-widening gender gapand a real need to empower womenand girls in vulnerable countries. Do you believe that climate changeimpacts women more than men?

AM The SDGs must be people-centered and planet sensitive andaddress many of the very real genderdimensions to climate change. Manyare due to women’s status in society,education, and the range of servicesavailable. Due to a range of factors,women are more often victims ofdisasters that are often climatechange-related; as farmers, they areat the front lines of changing weatherpatterns that increasingly consist ofextreme drought or flooding. Thereare many actions that can addressthese challenges in building climateresilience.

NN To follow up, are the SDGsshaped and implemented with theconstraints of women in mind?

AM Absolutely, the theme runningthrough all of these goals is to removethose constraints and allow andempower women, and all people,achieve their full potential. Of note isthe Secretary-General’s proposal toconsider Dignity and People as keyelements to help frame andunderstand the sustainabledevelopment agenda.

NN Lastly, what is the initial budgetfor the SDGs and how are the SDGsbeing financed?

AM There are many issues that mustbe resolved this year and financing iscritical. We hope that the Financingfor Development Conference in AddisAbaba this July will provide aframework for ensuring that the newsustainable development agenda andthe efforts on climate action areproperly supported.

A Blueprint for theSustainable DevelopmentGoals...continued from page 19

The Sustainable Development Goals must

be people-centered and planet sensitive

and address many of the very real gender

dimensions to climate change.”

– Amina J. MohammedUN Secretary-General’s Special Adviseron Post-2015 Development Planning

Bangladesh. Connecting Communities, Creative Commons