The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) officially launched the Multicountry Programming Framework for the Pacific Islands (Pacific CPF) 2023-2027 this week.
This momentous event, graced by the presence of the La’aulialemalitoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Samoa, the Vatimi Tidara Tuimasakea Kaunitawake Rayalu Minister for Agriculture and Waterways in Fiji, and Augustine Auga, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock of the Solomon Islands, along with other esteemed guests, signifies the initiation of the fourth cycle of this substantial initiative, embracing a vibrant array of nations in the Pacific Islands.
The Pacific CPF represents FAO’s unwavering commitment to driving transformation in agrifood systems and catalyzing rural development across the Pacific region. This unique Framework is envisioned to bolster stakeholder engagement, engender a more programmatic approach, and amplify sustainability efforts.
Addressing the esteemed guests, Ms Xiangjun Yao, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, noted: “The Pacific CPF is an instrument of great importance in FAO’s toolkit.
“It embodies our steadfast commitment to stimulate agrifood systems transformation and bolster rural development in the Pacific region.
“Designed to enhance stakeholder engagement, the CPF adopts a more systematic approach, laying the groundwork for progressive sustainability. This new framework is a testament to our dedication to partner with the Pacific nations in achieving shared sustainable development goals.”
The attending Ministers expressed their unanimous support for the new framework. ” We believe that the new FAO CPF, developed through country-wide consultations and aligned with national plans and priorities, will pave the way for the transformation of agrifood systems and community development,” affirmed the Samoan Minister.
Fiji’s Minister underlined: “the CPF charts a clear course towards strengthening the resilience of agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors across our region, preparing us to confront and surmount future challenges.” Solomon Islands’ Minister emphasized, ” As we unveil CPF 2023-2027, it is crucial that we embrace radical changes and genuine transformation to address the pressing challenges of food security and nutrition in our countries and the Pacific SIDS region”.
Constructed in congruence with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Pacific Islands (UNSDCF) 2023-2027, the CPF is a testament to FAO’s efforts to achieve to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The framework strategically focuses on three key SDGs: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Multicountry Programming Frameworks, such as the Pacific CPF, play a critical role within FAO and its member nations’ strategic planning, as they establish a clear trajectory and define tangible outcomes, thereby enabling effective resource mobilization. These frameworks ensure that FAO’s work is led by its member countries and contributes directly towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.
In the Pacific, the CPF is an indispensable instrument in FAO’s toolkit, providing clear outcomes and sub-outcomes at the regional level and features a comprehensive approach, including fourteen country results and resource matrices.
This effectively translates regional priorities into concrete outputs, sub-outputs, and interventions at the country level.
Significantly, the new CPF prioritizes:
- 1. safe and healthy food production and consumption;
- 2. resilient agriculture, fisheries, and forestry production systems; and,
- 3. efficient agrifood value chains providing safe, nutritious, and affordable food.
The official launch of the Pacific CPF heralds the beginning of a new chapter in the implementation of this strategic framework.
It is intended to elevate awareness about the CPF’s priorities and inspire active engagement from regional stakeholders towards its successful execution.
With the endorsement of the respective Pacific governments, FAO is poised to mobilize this new framework, offering a unique opportunity for collective action and partnership to achieve a shared goal.