31 August 2016: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has released a compilation of documents in advance of its 71st regular session. The documents address and make recommendations on support for small island developing States (SIDS) and the protection of human rights, among other topics.

‘Comprehensive Review of UN System Support for SIDS: Initial Findings’ (JIU/REP/2016/3) presents the findings of a Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) on: UN Headquarters support to SIDS provided by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ (DESA) SIDS Unit and the Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and SIDS (OHRLLS); programmatic coordination of UN entities with mandates of high relevance to SIDS that are covered by the UN strategic framework; and assessment of the role and functioning of the Inter-Agency Consultative Group on SIDS (IACG).

The report recommends enhancing resources to the two SIDS Units of DESA and OHRLLS in response to their increased workloads related to the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On the IACG, the report finds that poor meeting planning and management, as well as the absence of an established work programme “hamper the realization of the Group’s full potential,” and suggests improving planning and defining a work programme.

The report recommends the UNGA, inter alia, ensure the allocation of resources required to adequately respond to the mandates in support of SIDS’ sustainable development agenda. It recommends the UN Secretary-General ensure, inter alia: DESA and OHRLLS establish a joint system to plan, monitor and report on activities; that a forthcoming report on follow-up to and implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS builds upon the IACG’s work and provides a strategic document to monitor and assess progress and gaps towards implementing the SAMOA Pathway and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and DESA and OHRLLS reform the IACG to clarify its role, work programme, membership criteria and outreach.

An addendum to the ‘Comprehensive Review of the JIU of the UN System Support for SIDS’ (JIU/REP/2016/3), titled ‘Follow-up to and Implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy’ (A/71/267/Add.1) previews a forthcoming report expected in 2016 on strengthening UN system-wide coherence and effectiveness of support to SIDS and implementation of the Samoa Pathway within the context of the 2030 Agenda, among other topics. The report finds that the UN has aligned priorities to national strategic plans and comprehensive coverage of issues related to the Samoa Pathway and the SDGs through the ‘Delivering as one’ approach, but recommends strengthening this approach to ensure that no SIDS is left behind.

The report further recommends the UN system, inter alia: formulate a set of clearly-defined parameters to amend the eligibility criteria for concessional funding and preferential treatment for SIDS, in consultation with the Bretton Woods Institutions and regional development banks; coordinate activities to ensure coherence and effectiveness and avoid saturation of SIDS’ absorptive capacity; and continue to assist in building national capacities on data collection and analysis, and align national monitoring and reporting frameworks on implementation of the SAMOA Pathway with 2030 Agenda accountability frameworks, including through agreement on a set of priority indicators for SIDS. The report further recommends the UN consider a possible reallocation of resources within the UN to group all staff resources dedicated to SIDS within a single organizational structure.

‘Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Including Ways and Means to Promote the Human Rights of Migrants’ (A/71/284), a report of the UN Secretary-General, summarizes written submissions from governments on the implementation of Resolution 70/147 on the protection of migrants. Mexico and Romania submitted input that highlights legal and policy frameworks on the protection and promotion of the human rights of migrants.

UNGA 71 will open on 13 September 2016. Additional documents released by the UNGA address, inter alia: implementation of the UN Environmental Conventions; the UNGA virtual dialogue on Harmony with Nature; a report by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on communication for development programmes in the UN system; and efforts to achieve the sustainable development of water resources. [Document A/71/284] [Document A/71/267] [Document A/71/324] [IISD RS Story on Poverty Literacy and Marine Biodiversity Documents] [Document JIU/REP/2016/3]