Seventh Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (PFSD) 2023

While extreme and absolute poverty is relatively low in the Pacific, an estimated one in four Pacific Islanders are likely to be living below their respective national poverty line. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated hardship, particularly for the most vulnerable, as food and fuel prices rise making basic needs increasingly unaffordable. Increasing adverse climate events across the Pacific are further threatening food security. This session will review SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero hunger) in the context of their impact on hardship and food security challenges and solutions in the Pacific.  

This session will take stock of the outcomes from the 2023 Forum Leaders’ Meeting and hear key priorities of the Pacific which will be advocated at COP28. In addition, the session will focus on a targeted climate challenge which the Pacific countries are facing, that is, collective action and advocacy needed for transition from fossil fuel for keeping global warming to 1.5 C.

This session will focus on SDG implementation progress through Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) and allow for sharing of experiences and the lessons learned from stakeholder engagement, particularly on follow-up of national commitments. This session will also deep dive into the SDG progress tracking and indicators guidelines, against the backdrop of multiple reporting obligations of governments under the global, regional and national frameworks.

This session will look at the actions required to implement the high-impact Pacific-led initiatives identified at the SDG Summit in September 2023. This session will also explore ways to strengthen partnerships between governments and an array of stakeholders on key areas of SDG acceleration such as energy compacts, social protection and digital services. The discussion will further complement the 2050 Strategy in close collaboration with CROP agencies by prioritizing human capital, supporting education, healthcare, technology, and innovation, and laying the groundwork for long-term growth and prosperity.

This session will highlight key messages from the “Nuku‘alofa Outcome Document” of the Pacific Preparatory Meeting of the 4th International Conference on SIDS, 16-18 August 2023, Tonga. This session will also focus on how the SIDS development agenda can accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. This session will be an opportunity to highlight regional actions in shaping and advancing long-term Pacific SIDS priorities that will feed into the 4th International Conference on SIDS to be held from 30 May – 1 June 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda.