“I sense the level of ownership and participation in the preparation involving all the people of Samoa has been very impressive. It is a sure guarantee for the success of the conference”
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo, yesterday praised Samoa’s preparations for the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) Conference.
After a tour of the facilities where he was shown around by the Minister of Works, Infrastructure and Transport (M.W.T.I), Mr Wu was so impressed he declared that “we are (now) ready for the conference.”
The main conference starts on Monday next week.
However, a number of side events and pre-conference meetings will begin on Thursday. More than 3,000 delegates are expected to be here.
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“I am very excited and I am happy to tell friends that with the various efforts made by the Samoan government and its people, that the meeting venues and all the facilities are now available,” said Mr Wu inside the main conference centre at Tuana’imato.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Wu said Samoa’s preparations would guarantee the success of S.I.D.S 2014. Mr Wu had arrived last Sunday ahead of the conference to address any last minute preparations and to participate in the pre-conference forums.
During a press conference held yesterday at the Central Bank of Samoa, Mr Wu acknowledged the hard work by Samoa.
“On behalf of the United Nations I congratulated the Prime Minister (Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi) for his vision, dedication and leadership in the preparation,” Mr Wu said.
“I sense the level of ownership and participation in the preparation involving all the people of Samoa has been very impressive. It is a sure guarantee for the success of the conference.”
Mr Wu said, that from his blog he has ascertained that people are interested in Samoa’s hosting of the conference.
“Many people before did not have really a clear idea where Samoa is,” he said.
“Now with these discussions and the website accessible to the web users world wide, I think we have really elevated the public image and international image of this beautiful country."
“I think basically the comments are very positive.”
According to a press release issued, even before arriving in Apia Mr Wu was pleased to learn of the completion of the Conference venue and the facilities ahead of time.
“This has occurred as a result of your personal engagement and guidance in ensuring that Samoa will be ready to welcome the world to your shores,” he said then. The release states that the conference is being tasked to seek a renewed political commitment from S.I.D.S. and their partners to ensure that the necessary means of implementation are available to address S.I.D.S. priorities including new and emerging challenges and opportunities for their sustainable development.
“The timing of the S.I.D.S. Conference is opportune as it allows for their sustainable development needs to be considered in the elaboration of the post-2015 U.N. Development agenda,” the release reads. In the release, Tuilaepa paid tribute to the support of Mr Wu and his staff in these preparations. “Excellency, I would like to use this opportunity to express my government’s sincere appreciation and my own gratitude to you for your personal interest, leadership and understanding of our realities which not only facilitated but contributed immensely to our preparations,” he says in the release.
“Your personal intervention and engagement in ensuring the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway outcome document is approved ahead of the conference is testament to this commitment.” The Government has been preparing for the conference and related services to ensure Samoa successfully hosts this historic event and to welcome the expected 3,000 participants to its shores, the release reads.
“On 20 August, the Government completed the preparation of the facilities and held a small dedication ceremony to bless the venue,” it says.
“The venue will officially be handed over to the United Nations by the Government of Samoa on Saturday, 30 August 2014.
“Pre-conference activities will take place from August 27 to 31 2014 and include the Youth Forum, the Renewable Energy Forum, the Major Groups and other Stakeholders Forum, and the Private Sector Forum.
“The main plenary meeting will officially open on Monday, September 1 and will continue until September 4.”
According to the release Mr Wu will leave for New York upon the conclusion of the S.I.D.S. Conference on Friday, September 5, 2014.
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