UN RC Remarks at the closing of the Pacific Technical Cooperation Session of CEDAW

On behalf of the United Nations in the Pacific, it is my distinct honor and pleasure to warmly thank all partners and participants as we conclude this historic Pacific Technical Cooperation Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

We are grateful that the CEDAW Committee agreed to come to the Pacific region to formally review three countries, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu, but also to hear a wide range of stakeholders besides governments, including community representatives, talking in their own words about the unique opportunities and challenges they face.

The Committee’s presence here is not only a symbol of partnership; it is an affirmation of our collective and shared vision: a Pacific free of discrimination against women and girls where No One is Left Behind.

Allow me to extend our gratitude to the Chair, Ms. Nahla Haidar, and the esteemed members of the Committee for your inclusive engagement throughout this process. 

We especially appreciate your embracing of the Talanoa spirit—actively listening, respecting all voices, and contributing to a safe space, so that the reality faced by the people of the Pacific could emerge.

Distinguished Members of the CEDAW Committee, Honored Partners, Friends, and Guests, 

The commitment to both rigorous monitoring and constructive dialogue on the progress of three countries, combined with Talanoas for all that provide for more informal spaces and technical cooperation, reflects the values that lie at the heart of the UN Charter and the UN Treaty Body system.

We commend the significant work undertaken this week by all partners - regional institutions - the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the University of the South Pacific (USP) and UN agencies, notably the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UN Women as well as other members of our UN Country Team in the Pacific. This has supported the independent Committee in its tireless efforts to uplift the rights of the Pacific women. 

It has made a profound impact. 

I thank you for amplifying the voices of those left furthest behind - women with disabilities, young girls, older women, and others who experience intersectional discrimination. 

This week has also reminded us all that women and girls are not passive victims - they are empowered actors and must be supported as such. 

The side events highlighted the existential threat posed by climate change, and the challenges remaining, including high levels of violence. The discussions on women’s political participation call for country-specific recommendations on women’s equal and inclusive representation in decision-making, including temporary special measures. 

The sub-regional consultation on gender stereotypes revealed that much more work is needed to address deeply entrenched customary beliefs and practices. I understand that the Technical Cooperation session’s country reviews further sensitized the Committee on the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States in meeting the reporting obligations under the CEDAW Convention. 

On behalf of the United Nations System in the Pacific, I wish to stress here that we will continue to support all Pacific Island Countries and Territories in making progress on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls. 

We stand ready to take forward the priorities identified here and align our programmes and engagements with the Committee’s concluding observations for Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu that will be issued at its 91st session in July 2025. 

These will serve as a crucial roadmap for our joint, coordinated, and continued efforts to advance gender equality across the countries of the Blue Pacific.

In closing, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to the advancement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across the Pacific. 

The discussions, insights, and collaborations we have shared during this session are a testament to our unwavering dedication to building a future where discrimination is eradicated, and every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive. As we move forward, let us continue to build on this momentum, working together to ensure that the recommendations of the Committee are translated into tangible, impactful action. 

The Pacific’s strength lies in its unity, and together, we will make meaningful strides towards a more just and inclusive future for all.

Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhanjavaad, Tenkiu Tumas, Fakafetai, Thank You