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Louder voice for Pacific Islands at UN General Assembly

Greater prominence for Pacific Islands’ perspectives on global and regional development issues within the United Nations system is expected to be a major outcome of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) becoming an observer to the UN General Assembly.SPC was formally granted observer status overnight following the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly in New York City.The resolution for the Pacific’s largest regional development body to participate as an observer in the sessions and work of the General Assembly was submitted by the Fiji delegation following a decision taken at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Pacific Community in November 2013, which Fiji chaired. SPC will also be able to make observer statements at the UNGA.The Director-General of SPC, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, has welcomed the news, saying it is a significant breakthrough for the Pacific Community.“By granting SPC observer status to the United Nations, it is our hope the unique development challenges facing Pacific Island countries and territories will be better understood and appreciated by the international community, and taken into account in decision making.\Ultimately