Sub Regional MDG-based Workshop for Melanesian Countries

A 4-day sub-regional workshop on MDG-based planning and costing will be organised by the UNDP Pacific Centre in collaboration with UNESCAP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDESA for the Melanesian countries that include Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Nauru and Solomon Islands from 12-15 November 2007 in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The objectives of the workshop are to:

•  Build upon the foundation established in a regional workshop on MDG-based planning, the development of a pro poor policy and budgeting framework that took place in October 2006 by looking at MDGs and poverty data for progress monitoring and reporting in individual countries;

•  introduce the planning, needs assessment and costing tools developed by RCC/ BDP and how they can support policy development for the achievement of the MDGs in Small Islands Developing States;

•  strengthen national capacity to implement the MDGs and the Mauritius Strategy in PICs by making the appropriate linkages with the national plans, budget frameworks and the Pacific Plan;

•  address the linkages between poverty, energy and environment issues in the Pacific, including the need for a national integrated approach in disaster risk reduction;

•  identify national responses to governance challenges

•  strengthen the planning and budget frameworks by reviewing the process of putting together an MDG-Based Plan or MDG-based National Development Strategy, including monitoring and evaluation;

•  strengthen the budgeting process at national level, including gender-sensitive budgets;

Based on last year's experience, the workshop will be participatory and interactive, with concise presentations, followed by discussions on policy issues with specific reference to country contexts. Group discussions, group work focused on clear outcomes, and plenary reporting back will form part of the workshop approach. The sharing of experiences, exchanges of good practices and country presentations are meant to further consolidate the planning, costing and budgeting practices in the Pacific.

Approximately 60 participants from government and civil society will attend the workshop.

 

 

Draft Workshop agenda

Workshop concept note

Information note to participants