25 February 2014: The Government of Samoa provided a briefing on national preparations for the Third UN Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which will take place in Apia, Samoa, in September 2014. The briefing was hosted by Ali’ioaiga Feturi Elisaia, Permanent Representative of Samoa to the UN, on 25 February 2014, at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

A representative of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), which is the Secretariat for the Conference, said that a recent planning mission to Samoa revealed the high level of commitment to making the Conference a success. He urged that every aspect of the Conferences, eg. side events, should build on the theme of ‘building genuine and durable partnerships.’ He also announced that the host country agreement had been signed on 24 February between Samoa and the Conference Secretary-General, Wu Hongbo.

The national coordinator for the Conference, Perina Sila, described the venue, registration process, accommodations, travel arrangements, among other logistical aspects. She emphasized that accommodations should be reserved by 30 June, and that registration should be completed first. She invited inquires via email at sidssamoa2014@mfat.gov.ws

Another representative of the country’s planning team, Noumea Simi, explained the pre-conference programme, which may include an NGO forum with a focus on inclusiveness, a Youth Forum with a focus on employment, Forum on renewable energy with a focus on the fossil fuel burden, and private sector forum on “businesses for development.”

The first meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference is convening from 24-26 February. [Samoa Website for Conference (registration and accommodations)] [UN Website for Conference]