Immediate Release 1 August 2016

Women and children essential to achieving new Agenda

Women and children are believed to be crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda, consisting of 17 international goals.

“The survival, health and well-being of women, children and adolescents are essential to achieving the SDGs.” says Dr Rufina Latu of the World Health Organization. “This will require the use of the best available knowledge for action, as well as investment in new research and innovation”.

Latu says that the SDG era is a time for action. “We know the problems, we know the causes, we know the solutions – it is time to make bold actions to save lives and improve socio-economic well-being.”

Although the new 17 Sustainable goals are based on the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, many Pacific Island countries were unable to meet these.

“There are concerns that Pacific Island Countries and Territories will struggle to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and targets due to lack of resources and capacity constraints” says Dr Colin Tukuitonga, Director General of Pacific Community. “Agenda 2030 is a major undertaking for the Pacific region”

The efforts to mobilize and end all forms of poverty fight inequalities and tackle climate change marks the beginning of a new era for health development in the Pacific. “At least 7 of the 17 SDGs are core business of the Pacific Community but it contributes to all 17 Goals in some way. There is little absolute hunger in our region but malnutrition (mainly obesity) is widespread” says Dr Tukuitonga.

Latu says the WHO Country Offices in the Pacific region are working collaboratively to meet the 2030 goals. “We are working with Governments, NGOs and communities to support and align their work with the SDGs and the global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health in ways that meet country priorities and unique context”

TAHA together with the Pacific Society for Reproductive Health are hosting the Catalysts 4 Change - Achieving Sustainable Development Goals for Women, Children and their Families Conference (3-4 August 2016) which aims to raise awareness of the recently ratified SDGs and the universal determination to progress a range of indicators by 2030. For more information about the conference, visit www.c4change2016.com.

ENDS

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