For U.N.D.P self-improvement a priority
The United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P.) is dedicating this week to self-improvement: the organisation and partners from Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau are meeting to devise better responses to challenges faced in the field.
U.N.D.P's Resident Representative, Jorn Sorensen, said that the workshop at the Sheraton Samoa is a platform for project managers to share information that will help with better implementation if need be.
“The information shared by project managers will help us do better implementation in the future,” he stated.
Mr. Sorensen added that challenges come in different forms in reference to projects but the outcomes of the workshop may assist in re-adapting projects.
“Many of the projects we have in the pacific are long term projects for three or five years, there is often a need to re-adapt and amend as we go along but we could face challenges in the future we did not foresee. There are currently 13 U.N.D.P.-supported projects in Samoa," he said.
“[The] U.N.D.P. works in partnership with Governments, donor agencies – like Global Environment Fund (G.E.F.), Green Climate Fund (G.C.F.) – civil society, the private sector and stakeholders on the ground, on projects that reduce vulnerabilities in Small Island Developing States.”
Some of the objectives of the workshop include: presentations of U.N.D.P. programme portfolios, including vertically funded projects such as the G.E.F. and G.C.F.
He told the audience that such workshops are a unique way for people to engage with peers and widen their horizon by sharing visions, commitments and passions for development portfolios and common development goals.
“I urge you to make the most of this opportunity to dialogue and come up with constructive and actionable solutions that will help the projects achieve their objectives, with the ultimate goal of benefiting people," he said.
“It is our hope that you also will make lasting friendships and establish professional networks that will support your work and quality of services in the months and years ahead.
“I acknowledge our donor agencies G.C.F., G.E.F., [the] Adaptation Fund as well as the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, and our developments partners in general and look forward to continue strengthening partnerships with the governments of Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau.”