Fiji Multi-Country Office 2006 Annual Report
FIJI MULTI-COUNTRY OFFICE The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations global development network and principal provider of development advice, advocacy and support. UNDP operates in 166 countries around the world, working with local people to create solutions to global, regional, and national development challenges. In the Pacific UNDP works in 15 countries and has offices in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and a sub-office in the Solomon Islands. The Fiji Multi - Country Office serves ten Pacific countries including Fiji; these are the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu. The Samoa Multi - Country Office serves Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands and Tokelau. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 1
Acronyms ADB AusAID CCA CDI CDP CEDAW CSFT FSM FSPK GEF HIV/AIDS HR ICT IT LDC MCO MDG MELAD MICIC MORDI MPs MRF NAPA NBSAP NCSA NGO NZAID Asian Development Bank Australian Agency for International Development Common Country Assessment Centre for Democratic Institutions Country Program Document Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women Civil Society Forum of Tonga Federated States of the Marshall Islands Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific - Kiribati Global Environment Facility Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Human Resource Information and Communications Technologies Information Technology Least Developed Countries Multi-Country Office Millennium Development Goals Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Division Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovations Program Members of Parliament Materials Recovery Facility National Adaptation Programme of Action National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan National Capacity Self Assessment Non-Governmental Organization New Zealand Agency for International Development PICs PLWHA PRAN RAMSI SDG SHD SIDS SLM SPC UN UNCDF UNCCD UNCBD UNDAF UNDEF UNDP UNDP PC UNFCCC UNFPA UNICEF UNIFEM UNOPS UNV V4D VANWODS WAM WHO WUTMI Pacific Island Countries People Living With HIV/AIDS Pacific Regional Assistance to Nauru Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands Strengthening Decentralized Governance Sustainable Human Development Small Island Developing States Sustainable Land Management Secretariat of the Pacific Community United Nations United Nations Capital Development Fund United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity United Nations Development Assistance Framework United Nations Democracy Fund United Nations Development Programme United Nations Development Programme Pacific Centre United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change United Nations Population Fund United Nations Children s Fund United Nations Development Fund For Women United Nations Office of Project Services United Nations Volunteer (Programme) Volunteerism for Development Vanuatu Women s Development Scheme Waan Aelon in Majel World Health Organization Women United Together Marshall Islands 2 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Table of Contents 1 Acronyms 2 2 Map of the Pacific 4 3 Foreword & Acknowledgement 5 4 Overview of the UNDP Fiji MCO Program 6 Democratic Governance 7-8 Poverty Reduction 9 Energy and Environment 10-11 5 Country Profiles and Program Reports 12 Country Profile Fiji 12 Country Profile Federated States of Micronesia 13 Country Profile Kiribati 14 Country Profile Marshall Islands 15 Country Profile Nauru 16 Country Profile Palau 17 Country Profile Solomon Islands 18 Country Profile Tonga 19 Country Profile Tuvalu 20 Country Profile Vanuatu 21 6 Fiji MCO Management Results 22 Fiji MCO Operations 22 7 UNV in the Pacific 23 Copyright@2007 UNDP Fiji MCO. Design & Layout Hatamara Graphics Cover Image courtesy of the South Pacific Tourism Orgainsation Photographs South Pacific Tourism Organisation and UNDP Fiji MCO Printing Imaging Systems. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 3
Map of the South Pacific 4 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Foreword & Acknowledgement With UNDP being the UN s global development network, and principal provider of development advice, advocacy and support, the Fiji Multi-Country Office will continue to center its focus on promoting people-centered development for the peoples in the Pacific. Mr Richard Dictus, UNDP Resident Representative In the Pacific, UNDP works in 15 countries and has offices in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and a suboffice in the Solomon Islands. Our Fiji Multi-Country Office serves 10 Pacific island countries including Fiji, the Federates States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Kiribati, Nauru and the Solomon Islands. Scaling-up UNDP s commitment to development in the Pacific 2006 was a year of qualitative and quantitative expansion for our support to Pacific island states to achieve MDGs. In line with UNDP Multi-Country Programme for 2003-2007, our office has undertaken numerous programming and operational activities in the areas of democratic governance, poverty reduction, and energy and environment. Our total programme expenditure has reached a record annual level of US$7.8 million. Increasing its commitment to the development in South Pacific, in July UNDP officially opened the Pacific Sub-Regional Center in Suva with only a few months into its existence, the Center already became a key resource of technical expertise and policy advice not only to UNDP s country offices in South Pacific, but also to a number of regional organizations. And in November Fiji MCO hosted the Regional Cluster Meeting of UNDP s development professionals from all over the Pacific, which was chaired by Mr Hafiz Pasha UNDP Assistant Administrator & Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. Our work would not be possible without the support of our many partners. We owe special thanks to national governments and to many agencies in the development community which have placed their trust in UNDP. We are grateful to the wide ranging contributions of civil society, as well as bilateral and multilateral donor partners which have made the UNDP Fiji Multi Country Office what it is today. People are always at the center of our work and the 78 country office staff, project staff and United Nations Volunteers of the UNDP Fiji Multi-Country Office are central to our achievements. In addition, 12 university graduates joined the office in June under first ever young professional programme. Consolidating the gains As we move into 2007 the UNDP Fiji Multi-Country Office will focus on continued provision of upstream policy advice to our national counterparts in South Pacific; developing programmatic priorities and plans for the next 5 year period (2008-2012) under United Nations Development Assistance Framework and UNDP Multi-Country Programme Documents; improving our accountability for results and strengthening effectiveness and efficiency of our operations. With UNDP being the UN s global development network, the Fiji Multi-Country Office will continue to promote people-centered development in the Pacific. Richard Dictus, UNDP Resident Representative Fiji Multi-Country Office Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 5
Overview of the UNDP Fiji Multi-Country Office Program Stretching across the Pacific Ocean, from the northern to the easternmost islands, the UNDP Fiji Multi- Country Office collaborates with 10 governments, the donor community, civil society and the private sector. In 2006 the Fiji Multi-Country Office was committed to supporting the efforts of Pacific Island governments, regional organisations and civil society in the areas of Democratic Governance, Poverty Reduction, and Energy and the Environment. Programme expenditure of the Fiji Multi-Country Office in 2006 totaled US$7.8 million, of which US$2.6 million was from UNDP regular resources and US$5.2 million was mobilized from donor contributions, including third-party cost-sharing and trust funds. UNDP Fiji MCO Total Expenditure in 2006 Energy and Environment for Sustainable Development USD 3.59m, 45.63% Achieving MDGs and Reducing Poverty USD 1.1m, 13.96% Fostering Democratic Governance USD 3.14m, 39.87% Achieving MDGs and Reducing Poverty Fostering Democratic Governance Energy and Environment for Sustainable Development UNDP Fiji s notable achievements in each core thematic area include: 6 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Democratic Governance Over the last decade, governance issues have gained prominence in the Pacific, due to political instability in some countries and pressure on traditional systems of governance in others. The Fiji Multi-Country office is committed to supporting the efforts of Pacific island governments, regional organisations and civil society to promote democratic governance and human rights. Strengthening representative, legislative and oversight roles of national parliaments in the Pacific was at the forefront to UNDP s support to democratic governance in 2006. Parliamentary strengthening projects in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Marshall Islands have been designed to strengthen the parliaments secretariat functions, support efficacy of parliamentary committees, enhance member education, improve constituency services, and build the parliaments information networks. UNDP s support for decentralization and strengthening local governance, such as through projects in Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu in 2006, brings the development agenda back to where it matters the most: to people at the grassroots level. This involves enhanced participation of local communities in the formulation and implementation of socioeconomic programmes, technical advisory support to local councils and advisory councils and training for local government officials. In addition UNDP took the lead in a provincial information and communication outreach projects in the Solomon Island s Isabel Province, where multi-model network technology extended the provincial government s capacity to provide services to the people. Other governance related initiatives include support to planning offices in Pacific island countries. A project, executed by the Ministry of Finance in Palau focused on the importance of statistical information, the development and use of indicators and analysis, in the planning and policy development process. Building trust and confidence in national governing systems through addressing human rights and promoting civic duties provides an effective, orderly and participatory environment for Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 7
Democratic Governance deliberation and resolution of key development and public policy issues. In 2006, the UNDP Fiji MCO in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Education was involved in the intial development of a school-based civic education programme for Fiji. Our commitment to supporting Pacific Islands national stakeholder in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic was taken to the next level in December 2006, when 40 community leaders underwent training under UNDP s Leadership Development Programme, covering several topics including advocacy and networking, positive attitudes and behaviour, as well as planning and budgeting. Country-based summary of Democratic Governance is covered in the later sections of this report.... she had suggested that what was needed was not just a code of conduct for leaders but a people s code so that the public would have more realistic expectations of their elected representatives. Dame Carol Kidu, Papua New Guinea s only female MP Solomon Islands - MPs undergo induction People s expectations of their members of parliament pose a difficult challenge for politicians, who are expected to be Jack of all trades, or as Dame Carol Kidu, Papua New Guinea s only female MP put it, Jill of all trades - including the doctor and the undertaker. In her own constituency, Dame Carol suggested that what was needed was not just a code of conduct for leaders but a people s code so that the public would have more realistic expectations of their elected representatives. Facilitating a workshop on public leadership, part of an induction program, for new MPs held at the Parliament of the Solomon Islands in April 2006, Dame Carol could commiserate with the Solomon Islands member who complained that constituents expected their parliamentary representative to be development officers. And to win again you have to be a development officer. I know this story, said Dame Carol, who is currently serving her second term in office and is currently the Minister of Welfare and Social Development. Discussing the question of what voters expect, Dame Carol was blunt: Let s be honest. Voters expect cash. And they want you to solve all their personal difficulties. It is one of the biggest problems we face. The high expectations, she said, come out of a culture based on reciprocity that is shared by both Solomon Islanders and the people of Papua New Guinea. Public leadership was one aspect of good governance that was discussed throughout the week-long induction program. Other topics include scrutiny of the executive, question time, lawmaking and committees. An initiative of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands and a component of a UNDP project to support and strengthen Parliament, the induction program is supported and funded by CDI in Canberra, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, London, The Machinery of Government (RAMSI), the Office of the Clerk of the New Zealand s House of Representative, and the University of the South Pacific s law faculty in Vanuatu 8 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Poverty Reduction Developing countries are working to create their own national strategies for poverty reduction based on local needs and priorities. UNDP advocates these nationally owned solutions, sponsors innovative pilot projects and connects countries to global best practices and resources. The UNDP Fiji MCO is engaged in a number of poverty reduction projects which include building capacities to gather and analyse poverty statistics, and enable regular reporting on progress towards achieving the MDGs. One of the major drawbacks in the analysis of the nature of poverty in the Pacific has been the lack of appropriate and comprehensive data and analysis on which to assess the actual nature of the problem, and sound policy measures required to tackle it. These studies will provide an updated situation analysis and offer a number of strategies. SPC in partnership with ADB undertook this analysis in partnership with the countries Statistics Departments. To compliment these findings UNDP started with two countries, namely Fiji and Tuvalu in conducting participatory community poverty assessments to ensure poverty situations and trends at the community levels are documented and relevant strategies identified. These initiatives were undertaken in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Poverty Alleviation, Women & Social Welfare and the Tuvalu Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning. The Fiji work has homed in on the situation of housing for the urban poor in particular. These reports are now complete and ready to be submitted to review groups. Both initiatives were funded through the UNDP Poverty Trust Fund (2004). In partnership between UNDP Fiji MCO, the UNDP Geneva Trade & Human Development Office, the Vanuatu government started on the preparation for Diagnostic Trade Integration study. Plans are also underway to undertake a similar approach in the Solomon Islands and Kiribati in 2007. We have also initiated and piloted outstanding local microfinance initiatives in Fiji and Vanuatu that target the poor and disadvantaged women and their families, by facilitating access to selfsustainable microfinance products, services and financial literacy. The Vanuatu Women s Development scheme (VANWODS) has been sighted as one of the most successful projects in Vanuatu. Discussions on the possible replication of the Financial Literacy initiative commenced with the government of Kiribati in 2006. A Rural Banking and Saving Scheme that was piloted in Fiji were replicated in the Solomon Islands in 2006 and the replication of the same has also started in Tonga in partnership with the Tonga National Youth Congress. Discussions commenced in 2006 with Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu in partnership with UNCDF to conduct financial sector analysis in the LDC countries to upscale opportunities in the area of microfinance. Country-based summary of Democratic Governance is covered in the later sections of this report. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 9
Energy and the Environment Environment issues such as climate change, land degradation and ozone depletion cannot be addressed by countries acting alone. UNDP helps countries by seeking out and sharing best practices, providing innovative policy advice and linking partners through projects that help build sustainable livelihoods. To address priority environmental problems unique to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the UNDP Fiji MCO helps to formulate integrated approaches that improve resource management and foster strategic partnerships on environmental protection and environmental governance. We are working in 10 Pacific Island Countries to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks for sustainable development and address gaps in environmental legislation. In partnership with these governments and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP Fiji MCO assists with assessment reports identifying national capacities to manage natural resources and also build capacity to meet obligations to global environment conventions. The regional priority for the Environment & Energy practice area is to improve transparency, accountability, equity and efficiency in the management and use of resources in the Pacific. The impact aimed for is resilient communities that have sustained economic growth, expanded income-generation opportunities and ultimately, a reduction in poverty levels. Furthermore the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) identifies environmental sustainability as a cross-cutting issue for all aspects of UNDP work in the Pacific region, and emphasizes the need for environmental sustainability to be mainstreamed into policy formulation and implementation in areas such as international trade, industrial development, transport, communications and health care. Proven traditional knowledge and practices are incorporated as much as possible in new development initiatives to ensure that experience and understanding gained over time is a factor contributing to overall sustainability of UNDP s assistance in the following focus areas: Sustainable livelihoods, environmental governance, climate change, biodiversity and renewable energy. Country-based summary of Democratic Governance is covered in the later sections of this report. 10 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Energy and the Environment Tuvalu - National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) The severity of the impacts of climate change on communities in Tuvalu is equivalent on all the islands since lifestyle (sources of food) and location of villages, physically and geologically are identical. Sources of food production (agriculture and fisheries) are severely impacted by climate change, variability and extreme events; therefore, food security is at risk in future. The first draft of the Tuvalu NAPA is now awaiting finalization and some of the NAPA findings points to Tuvalu s vulnerability to adverse impacts of climate change due primarily to the low-lying of its islands. This vulnerability will be exacerbated by the dependence of a large number of the population on natural resources, inadequate infrastructural and human resources to effectively respond to adverse effects of climate change, low economic base to finance response measures and adaptation, lack of social development and institutional capacity to address climate change issues. The Tuvalu NAPA is not an independent document but it is developed to support and is in line with the development aspirations of the Government of Tuvalu highlighted in the national development strategy (Te Kakeega II 2005 2015). This strategy also includes the challenges that the people will face in the coming future. Therefore, the people, stakeholders and Falekaupules have been important players in the development of the Tuvalu NAPA thorough its preparation, selection of adaptation measures and ranking of project profiles. It is envisaged that impacts of climate change will be increasing in the coming future, and therefore, urgency and immediacy to address these impacts is vital for the security and livelihood of the people of Tuvalu. In the identification and selection of urgent and immediate needs of stakeholders for inclusion in the NAPA, stakeholders played an important part in the identification of major problems linked to the climate change issue they are currently facing such as loss of lands through erosion, salinisation of pulaka pit plantations, decreasing abundance of coral fisheries and especially immobile shellfish, health and food security problems. Erosion has resulted in the total loss of family lands, flooding and inundation created suitable water pools for mosquitoes to breed, and salinity intrusion devastated pulaka pits and reduced fruit tree yields. Droughts and extreme temperature impacts directly on the agricultural sector and humans livelihood and these impacts of climate change needs to be addressed effectively due to the people s dependence on primary productivity. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 11
Country Profile and Program Report Fiji Islands Ongoing projects in 2006 for Fiji were in the area of governance where UNDP has been working in partnership with the Parliamentary Secretariat on the Fiji Good Governance Programme. This programme has three modules: Parliamentary Strengthening (a capacity building project housed at the Parliamentary Secretariat; Civic Education in Schools (a project to incorporate civic education and human rights concepts throughout the formal school curriculum) and a Community Civic Education module which is expected to commence in 2007. Both Civic Education modules are funded by NZAID with negotiations on additional funding with other potential donors. In the environment sector, preliminary project formulation and set-up have been finalized allowing work on the GEF funded National Capacity for Self Assessment (NCSA). The project has, through a country-driven consultative process, identified priorities and needs for capacity building to protect Fiji s environment and natural resources, taking into account Fiji s obligations under the three global conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification/land degradation. Activities on the Sustainable Land Management Project; to enhance sustainable land management and support sustainable use of natural resources have commenced. These efforts have also been mainstreamed into work programs of the relevant government departments. 12 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Country Profiles and Program Country Reports Profile Fedrated States of Federated States of Micronesia Ongoing projects in 2006 for FSM were in tackling Solid Waste Management with the Kosrae State Department through the development of a sustainable beverage container recycling operation; the diversion of the organic waste for compositing; and public education and awareness programs. This project has led to the development and enactment of legislation into the Kosrae State Legislature to allow for the creation of a financially self-sustaining recycling system. The legislation passed the second reading in early October and was adopted as law in early November 2006. Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has been set up and a can refund payment scheme and recycling operations commence in October. All aspects of the project are being meticulously documented for the purpose of possible replication of the model in Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap. In the environment sector, UNDP is also spearheading familiarization and the planning of activities for the National Capacity for Self Assessment Project for FSM. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 13
Country Profile and Program Report Kiribati Ongoing projects in 2006 in Kiribati focused on Improved Access to Basic Services and Livelihoods Opportunities; and Economic and Environmental Vulnerability. Strengthening Decentralized Governance (SDG) which commenced in 2005 is a three-year project based in the Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs. The project seeks to improve participatory systems and processes to enable the delegation of responsibilities to island councils. This is envisioned to be a catalyst to promote development initiatives in the islands located in the Gilbert and Line groups. In the environment sector, UNDP continues to support a Solid Waste Management project which focuses on the environmental impact of discarded aluminium and plastic cans, bottles and containers in a crowded urban settlement of South Tarawa. Using the tag line that Rubbish is a resource, the project has brought together the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Division (MELAD), Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives (MICIC) and the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific Kiribati (FSPK), to tackle the growing levels of urban pollution. Additional activities supported by UNDP in the area of Environmental Management include the development of the National Biodiversity Action Plan, National Adaptation Plan of Action as well as activities on the formulation of the Environment Act which has been submitted for government approval. UNDP is also expanding dialogue with government in the area of strengthening aid coordination and management, where new projects are expected to be rolled out in 2007. 14 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Country Profile and Program Report Marshall Islands Ongoing projects in 2006 in the Republic of the Marshall Islands focused on Civil Society Empowerment and Democratic Governance. The Marshall Islands Sustainable Livelihoods Development Strategy Project addresses, the livelihoods opportunities of outer islands communities, disadvantaged women and unemployed youth and seeks to accelerate and expand national efforts to reduce hardships and deprivation in the country and to reinforce the commitments of Development Plan 2018. As part of the strategy to provide alternative sustainable livelihoods development, the project covers following activities: development of a vocational training curriculum for carpentry, cabinet and furniture making and traditional canoe building; establishment of oyster spat grow-out hatcheries in five outer atolls.; development of a marketing handicrafts catalogue; and assessment of other alternative income generating opportunities. The support to Parliament project aims to build the capacity of the Nitijela (Parliament) to carry out its assigned roles as the supreme decision making body for the people of the Marshall Islands. This has included the review and revision of Standing Orders of the Nitijela; training for members and staff of the legislature to better engage in these activities; installation of better human resource planning; internal budget development processes; integrated information management systems and the provision of equipment to support the Office of the Clerk. In the environment sector, through GEF funding UNDP has supported the Marshall Islands in undertaking National Capacity Self Assessment; Second National Communication on the Convention on Climate Change; Sustainable Land Management projects; National Bio-Diversity Action Plans; and Action for the Development of Marshall Islands Renewable Energies. UNDP supported the Coconut Bio-fuel for Rural Electrification together with the initial consultations for Materials Recycle Facility which is planned for 2007. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 15
Country Profile and Program Report Nauru In 2006 UNDP participated and contributed to Pacific Regional Assistance to Nauru (PRAN) which was led by the Forum Secretariat. As a result UNDP undertook the responsibility of formulating project proposals on behalf of Nauruan Government and for submission to prospective donors on the following areas: Nauru Constitutional Reform; Parliamentary/Legislative Strengthening; Small Business/Micro-Finance; and the Review of the Nauru Trust Fund In support of these activities UNDP has recruited and placed a Nauru national in the Aid Management Unit of the Government of Nauru to serve as UNDP s focal point on the ground. By the end of 2006 UNDP had completed the Public Consultation Phase of the Constitution Reform Process and the finalization of the UNDEF Grant for the Constitution Reform. In the environment sector UNDP has undertaken a series of activities in Nauru which included The National Capacity Self Assessments; Second National Communication on the Convention on Climate Change; and National Bio-Diversity Action Plans. 16 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Country Profile and Program Report Palau Ongoing projects in 2006 in Palau have focused on Democratic Governance and Environmental Management. The Parliamentary Development Support to National Planning Project which commenced in 2005 is executed by the Ministry of Finance and focuses on the importance of statistical information, analysis, and indicators in the planning and policy development process. The project seeks to achieve sustainable and equitable human development in Palau through efficient and effective national planning and resource allocation based on measurable statistics and indicators. Building local capacity to support analysis, planning and effective coordination of resources is crucial to this work. The next phase of the project is to conduct training on achieving and reporting on MDG indicators and integrating the MDG indicators into the National Sustainable Development Strategy as well as develop a National Planning Framework to monitor the cost and progress of achieving the NSDS and the relevant MDG indicators. The development of the planning framework will involve a participatory and consultative approach to national planning; this activity is scheduled to be undertaken in 2007. In the environment sector, UNDP has supported Palau in the project familiarization on National Capacity Self Assessments; the formulation of a medium size project on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) which is now under review by UNDP GEF; and support to the 3rd SLM National Report, which is currently in progress. The National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBSAP) has been submitted and accepted by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat. The NBSAP 3 rd Nation Report is in progress. Intial work on Sustainable Economic Development through Renewable Energy began in 2006 with plans rolling out in 2007. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 17
Country Profile and Program Report Solomon Islands Ongoing projects in 2006 for the Solomon Islands have focused on: Improved governance, security and human rights, equitable access to sustainable development opportunities and improved access, quality and delivery of basic services to all sections of the community. In the area of improved governance, security and human rights, some of the first projects that were developed at the beginning of the programme cycle were aimed at constitutional reform, Rehabilitating the Special Constables and improving infrastructure. Several UN agencies have also joined a development project in the Isabel Province established and led by UNDP as a pilot initiative to improve service delivery to remote areas. In 2006, projects that were operational included: Isabel Province Development Project; Community Governance Capacity Development through ICT for Isabel Province; Financial Literacy Training Programme; Strengthening Capacity for Effective Programme Management; Elections Support Project; National Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan (NEDERP); Support to Parliamentary Strengthening Project; and Support to Demobilization. By the end of 2006 UNDP had completed the Parliamentary Induction Programme following the 2006 General Elections. In the environment sector, activities for the National Capacity Self Assessment are ongoing; the 2nd National Communication on the UN Convention on Climate Change has been conducted, a National Development Action Plan has been developed to build capacity at all levels on SLM (Sustainable Land Management); the 3rd SLM National Report has been finalized and submitted; and activities for the National Adaptation Program of Action commenced with the set up of a committee and the establishment of an office. 18 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Country Profile and Program Report Tonga Ongoing projects in 2006 in Tonga focused on Democratic Governance and Poverty Reduction through a Strengthening Civil Society Project and Environmental Management. The Strengthening Civil Society Project through the Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) commenced in 2006 and has already resulted in its increased membership; increased visibility; and participation in national events including trade discussions. The project launched a Small Grant Scheme, with the first tranche of funds disbursed in 2006 for MDG related activities. The Tonga National Volunteer Service, under this project, has recruited and trained 15 volunteers who are now placed in the community to assist in development projects. In the environment sector ongoing projects have included; Tonga Enabling Activities for the First and Second National Communications to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; Tonga National Capacity Self Assessment (NCSA) Project to assist with assessing Tonga s capacity needs, analyse national priorities and identify how best to mobilize and allocate resources to implement the major environmental conventions; Tonga National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) that comprises activities and effective response measures to achieve objectives of the UNCBD; Tonga NBSAP 3 rd National Report; Tonga Sustainable Land Management (SLM) which provides a platform for a highly consultative and participatory process of national needs assessment; and the 3 rd National Report to the UNCCD. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 19
Country Profile and Program Report Tuvalu Ongoing projects for 2006 in Tuvalu have focused on assistance in reducing disparities in services and opportunities and addressing environmental issues and vulnerability. Second phase projects were developed in the new programming cycle to continue UNDP support in promoting gender issues (Gender Support Facility Project) and assisting the Government of Tuvalu to expand the implementation of the National Social Development Policy (Social Development Policy Phase II). UNDP continued to support Outer Island Development, a new project which focuses on strengthening the Falekaupule (Community) Act and the management of financial resources received from the Falekaupule Trust Fund. By the end of 2006 the Tuvalu Social Policy Report and the English and local versions of an advocacy video on Land Scarcity was completed. In the environment sector, UNDP has assisted Tuvalu in the completion of its National Capacity Self Assessments and the formulation of its Enabling Activity; the formulation of its 2nd National Communication on the UN Convention on Climate Change; the completion and submission of the 3 rd National Report on Sustainable Land Management; the formulation of a project proposal for National Biodiversity Plans and the finalization of National Adaptation Program of Action. 20 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
Country Profile and Program Report Vanuatu Ongoing projects in 2006 for Vanuatu were in the areas of poverty - equitable access to quality services and products and sound environmental management. In addition, UNDP has laid ground for programmatic activities in the areas of local governance and, trade and development. One of the most successful projects in Vanuatu is VANWODS (Vanuatu Women s Development Scheme) where UNDP is working in partnership with the Department of Women s Affairs to provide affordable microfinance services to women in Port Vila. The VANWODS board of trustees resolved that expansion to Santo would go ahead in 2007 with the establishment of a branch at the Department of Women s Affairs Office. In the area of MDGs and poverty reduction, UNDP supported the preparation and publication of the Vanuatu s MDG report and the preparation of a project on the Integrated Framework for Trade Related Technical Assistance. In the environment sector, UNOPS is pursing efforts in landholder conservation initiatives which look at traditional methods of conserving biodiversity, and in developing National Adaptation Plans of Action (NAPA) to tackle the implications of climate change. These projects are executed by the environment department and the department of meteorology respectively. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 21
Fiji MCO Management Results In the area of management, UNDP Fiji Multi-Country Office continued focusing on efficient program delivery and strong accountability for results, while at the same time providing efficient administrative and programme support services for Suva-based operations and the Pacific Centre, Sub-Office in Honiara, UNDP projects in ten nations across the Pacific, as well as administrative support to several other UN agencies. Trends in programme expenditure and management ratio, 2004-2006 Management ratio (management expenditure over total expenditure for UNDP Multi-Country Office and the Pacific Centre); source: UNDP Atlas Programme expenditure (combined programme expenditure for UNDP Fiji Multi-Country Office and the Pacific Centre); source: UNDP Atlas 2006 highlights of the management results of the UNDP Fiji Multi-Country Office include: Implementation and Process sustainability on Financial and Project Management reporting that resulted in a record project delivery for the office Overall improvement in office performance in Dashboard and Balance Scorecard The UN Common Services contract for Travel and Internet Services Completing Phase one of the UN Common House Project Process improvements in Financial reconciliations, asset management process, enhancement of service standards for processing client requests and cost recovery process. Organizing successful events and workshops for UNDP and other agencies Strengthening of country office network security and increasing bandwidth for the office UNDP Global Best practice in promoting Work-Life Balance practice and winning the 2006 Global Administrator Award for Work life Balance Initiatives for Country office Launch of the UNDP Young Professionals Programme 22 2006 Annual Report Fiji Multi Country Office
UNV in the Pacific United Nations Volunteers Programme UNV Volunteers were fielded in the South Pacific as early as 1973. Since then the region has benefited from hundreds of UNV Volunteers who served and continued to serve in the scattered island nations. They work alongside governments, NGOs, the private sector, UN agencies and donor communities. Volunteering forms an integral part of the lifestyle of Pacific Islanders, sharing resources and skills for the benefit of extended families and other peoples in their communities. In recognizing the role that volunteerism has in development the UNV Programme has developed a Volunteerism for Development (V4D) Business Model which reflects UNV s current mandate of: Global Advocacy for V4D, Integration of V4D in Development Planning, and Mobilization of Volunteers. UNV also recognizes its distinctive contributions, with capacity development always at its core. These contributions include: access to and delivery of services, inclusion and participation, and community mobilization through voluntary action. MDG Facility Grant The NGO, Wan Smol Bag Theatre, accessed funds from the MDG Facility Grant at the beginning of 2006 to implement the Mobilizing Blacksands and Tagabe River Communities Towards Sustainable Environment Project project in Vanuatu. Apart from promoting effective management of waste, the project has mobilized voluntary community participation as a way of ensuring the sustainability of its rubbish collection and disposal of waste system UNV Volunteer Assignments During 2006, 17 International UNV Volunteers and one National UNV Volunteer served in the Fiji Parish. Seven volunteers served in Fiji, four in Solomon Islands, two in Tuvalu, and one each in Vanuatu, Nauru, Republic of Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Palau. Sectors served included health, education, democratic governance, environment, gender, communication, and crisis prevention and recovery. By the end of 2006, seven UNV Volunteers had completed their assignments and were repatriated. Fiji Multi Country Office 2006 Annual Report 23
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MULTI COUNTRY OFFICE Tower Level 6 Reserve Bank Bldg Pratt Street, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Tel: (679) 331 2500 Fax: (679) 330 1718 Email: registry.fj@undp.org www.undp.org.fj We will seek to grow our programme to be in line with global resource allocations trends of a 20/80 split between core and non-core, to be reached by 2010. We will employ a more focused approach to service delivery resulting in the provision of enhanced assistance, detailed analysis, and comprehensive support, and will reflect the commitment to strengthening partnerships.