|
|
 |
TERMS OF REFERENCE
SPECIAL BODY ON PACIFIC ISLAND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
The special problems and particular situations concerning
the economic and social development of the Pacific island
developing countries related to their isolation, small size
and vulnerability to environmental hazards have been recognized
by the international community and within the context of
the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development
of Small Island Developing States and the implementation
of the United Nations millennium development goals. These
particular situations in Pacific island developing countries
require focused priority attention in order to mainstream
these countries into the ongoing regional integration process
and associate them with the economic and social dynamism
of the region.
The Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries
shall provide a focused forum for addressing the special
issues and problems facing this group of countries in the
spirit of regional cooperation.Under the overall supervision
of the Commission, the Special Body shall:
- Review and analyse the economic
and social progress in the Pacific island developing countries,
including constraints to their development.
- Serve as a mobilizer of ideas
and a catalyst for action to identify and promote new
policy options at the national, subregional and regional
levels that allow these countries to maximize the benefits
from globalization.
- Assist in capacity-building of
Pacific island developing countries.
- Foster and strengthen intercountry
and intersubregional cooperation arrangements for exchanges
of experience and technical cooperation between and among
the Pacific island developing countries and with other
countries in the region.
- Promote liaison, particularly
through the ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre, with development
agencies and financial institutions, private sector organizations,
non-governmental organizations, donors and supporting
countries within and outside the region, in its initiatives
and activities for the benefit of the Pacific island developing
countries.
- Review the implementation and
effectiveness of the relevant programme of work of ESCAP
and make recommendations to the Commission concerning
future programmes of work and, in this process, ensure
that cross-sectoral issues such as the environment, human
resources development and gender concerns are adequately
addressed.
- Accelerate follow-up to the decisions
and recommendations of global conferences relevant to
small island developing countries at the national, subregional
and regional levels, in particular, the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
States and the implementation of the millennium development
goals.
- Promote closer collaboration
and joint activities with relevant United Nations bodies
and specialized agencies.
- Work closely and coordinate with
other subsidiary bodies of the Commission.
- Carry out such other functions
as the Commission may direct from time to time in matters
relating to Pacific island developing countries.
Within the context of its terms of reference, the Special
Body shall identify the tasks to be undertaken during a
specified period. The Special Body shall indicate the outcomes
expected for each task, set a time frame for the achievement
of each task and monitor its implementation and effectiveness.
The Special Body shall meet biennially for two days, back
to back with the Commission sessions, in alternate years
with the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked
Developing Countries.
|
