Addresses delivered in the general policy debate by the Head of Delegation at the General Conference

36 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Afioga MAGELE MAUILIU MAGELE, Minister of Education, Sport and Culture

Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 36th session of the General Conference and posted as received

35 session of the General Conference

Hon. Toomata Alapati Poese Toomata, Minister of Education, Sports and Culture

“We are pleased to note that the needs and concerns of developing countries are well reflected in the Medium-Term Strategy.”
“We acknowledge with full support the effort to revise the Draft Programme and Budget 2010-2011 (…).”
“(…) Despite significant advances in the creation and sharing of knowledge through information and communication technologies, great inequalities persist in Pacific island nations utilising these technologies due to high costs and insufficient technical expertise. The resulting divides, which are exacerbated by the current economic crisis, calls for specific UNESCO action to address these and seek UNESCO’s assistance in this regard.”
“(…) Global warming is the most life-threatening issue to the Pacific region and its small island States. Some Pacific States are low-lying atolls and the threat of sea level rise is a very apparent reality which calls for immediate UNESCO initiatives. (…) Samoa requests UNESCO to refocus closer attention on climate change and its effects on the fragile environments of the pacific island States and the need to consolidate efforts on disaster management preparedness. In view of the recent earthquake and first ever tsunami to hit the Samoa shores bringing huge devastation and loss of life only recently, disaster preparedness as a top priority cannot be emphasized enough. (…) We support that UNESCO views climate change as an integral part of education for sustainable development and that an interdisciplinary approach to climate change would be most essential. We strongly urge UNESCO leadership in this area.”
“The Participation Programme of UNESCO has been out of reach for Samoa for a number of years now. A wide range of initiatives under the very familiar programme themes of UNESCO had benefited Samoa in the past. These include national policies and strategies linked to EFA and MDGs, literacy, environment and sustainable development, gender, advancement of women and youth, HIV/AIDs awareness and many others, and have been realized by our country through the Participation Programme of UNESCO.”
“Those are many examples of the quality opportunities that were available and may not become accessible again to Samoa, if it continues to be excluded from this Programme. We request as our right UNESCO’s assistance to enable us to regain eligibility and access to the Participation Programme.”
“We thank UNESCO for establishing a Link between the Nelson Public Memorial Library in our capital and libraries of some Pacific countries through the installation of the Library KOHA System, that has enabled library staff to view from Samoa book titles which are available in other libraries in New Zealand and Australia.”
“Samoa will uphold all UNESCO’s efforts in strengthening partnership with member countries and other agencies under the themes of “multiplicity of networks and partnerships”.”

34 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Toomata A. P., Minister of Education, of Sports and of Culture

The Medium-Term Strategy 2008-2013 and the 34C/5 Programme/Budget documents are encouraging; however, a few concerns may be recorded in different areas.
UNESCO still fails to concentrate resources on those areas where it has clear advantages and strengths. The Organisation should more concentrate on a smaller number of larger projects rather than dissipate its assets on many smaller ad hoc ones. Samoa hopes it will improve during the next biennium.
“The Pacific Member Nations are committed to the UNESCO and United Nations ideals. These are clearly reflected in our Pacific Leaders Pacific Plan and various mechanisms in place to advance UNESCO’s areas of mandates, for example, the Pacific Ministers of Education Basic Education Action Plan, which focuses on committing political will and resources to achieve the goals of education for all and the Millennium Development Goals related to education.”
“Regarding the Medium-Term Strategy, Samoa is comfortable with the focus and the special features. Samoa is also happy with the priority areas, particularly those most relevant to the Pacific, namely gender equality, youth, lease developed countries and Small Island Developing States.”
Most of the Pacific small island States are vulnerable to natural disasters and global market fluctuations. They are therefore very interested in sustainable management of natural resources, science communication and disaster management preparedness.
The Pacific has a few key objectives for the 2008-2013 UNESCO Programme. They include first of all intersectoral programme delivery, especially education for sustainable development and quality education for all (EFT programme).
Last but not least, the Pacific is concerned about youth problems, social changes management, quality information and preservation of cultural diversity.
“Samoa will encourage UNESCO to work with Pacific Member States to improve policy and management, working with civil society and the private sector to reinforce ownership and also with other United Nations agencies to promote sustainable development and to achieve education for all and the Millennium Development Goals.”
“Under the key intersectoral platforms developed for document 34 C/5, the Pacific would like to have a strong focus on Education for Sustainable Development; implementation of the Mauritius Programme of Action for the Development of SIDS; science education; HIV/AIDS; fostering ICT-enhanced learning; and dialogue among cultures and a culture of peace.”
Samoa is also concerned about the Budget distribution scenario, which seems to be not clear enough. Samoa hopes that this issue will be discussed during the meetings and the final budget allocations will fit the Pacific needs.