Sub Regional Workshop on MDG-based planning, costing and budgeting for the Polynesian Countries

The UNDP Pacific Centre recently organised a sub regional workshop on MDG-based planning, costing and budgeting for the 5 Polynesian countries of Niue, Cook Islands, Tokelau , Tonga and Samoa . The workshop was held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands from 26-29 May, and was attended by 65 government and non-government participants from Ministries of Finance, Planning, Health, Energy, Environment and Women. The workshop was officially opened by the Prime Minister of the Government of the Cook Islands , Hon. Jim Marurai, and the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for the Samoa Country Office, Ms. Naheed Haque.

The objective of the workshop was to strengthen national capacities in linking policy, planning and budget processes to achieve national priorities and the MDGs. The workshop addressed the importance of different aspects of policy (pro-poor, child friendly and gender responsive), looked at the principles of MDG-based planning, linking planning and budgeting, and financing the MDGs. In the current context of rising fuel prices, the workshop discussed the nexus between energy and poverty and the policy implications for the Pacific, as well as the need to manage development processes so that these do not increase vulnerability to natural disasters. Each country presented how their policy/planning/budget process was undertaken and this was complemented by some good practices of how to enhance those frameworks. The workshop had a strong gender focus, and was saw the collaboration of various UN Agencies, reflecting the One UN spirit.

The highlight of the workshop was the introduction of sectoral costing tools in the areas of education, health, HIV, energy, environment and gender. Presentations of the tools were complemented by practical, hands-on exercise to familiarise participants with how to use the tools.

Workshop agenda

Workshop presentations

Workshop media coverage