“You speak for the most vulnerable. That is why I am counting on you to raise your voices to build political momentum to resolve outstanding issues,” Ban told the meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum.
“The PIF is crucial to realizing our global vision for a sustainable future.”
Ban noted that this year Member States have agreed on key global policies – on disaster risk reduction, on financing for development, and most recently on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which collectively aim to ensure the long-term well-being of the planet and its people.
“All of these will boost our work on the SAMOA Pathway for small island developing States,” he said, referring to the outcome of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), held in the Samoan capital of Apia in September 2014.
In its 124 points, the SAMOA [SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action] Pathway includes actions for categories ranging from “sustained and sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth with decent work for all” to “climate change” and “health and non-communicable diseases.”
Noting the need for action on climate change, which has a severe impact on the Pacific region, the Secretary-General said he will continue to call on major economies to raise their level of ambition.