The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) High Level Stakeholder meeting gets underway at the Holiday Inn today (May 7 2007)

The two day meeting hosted by the UN offices in Fiji and Samoa is to gather a wide spectrum of development partners and Pacific country Government delegations from 14 Pacific countries to discuss and build on the UN's programme for the next five years and also to build general understanding and further implementation dialogue on the joint UNDAF.

The objectives of the meeting are:

- To ensure and enhance understanding on the joint UNDAF for the next cycle (2008-2012);

- To establish a platform of collective discussion to identify and build consensus on UNDAF implementation;

- To promote aid effectiveness through multi-dimensional partnership in the Pacific.

Highlights of tomorrow's programme are

An introduction to UNDAF by the Dean of the UN Group, Dr. Chen Ken (WHO Representative in the South Pacific) followed by a presentation on the UNDAF "Pacific Framework for Action" by the UN Resident Coordinator in Fiji, Mr. Richard Dictus and Ms. Naheed Haque, UN Resident Coordinator in Samoa.

The Keynote Address by Mr. Charles Bernimolin, Regional Disaster Response Advisor for the Pacific, UNOCHA.

The expected outcomes of the two day meeting are:

- Collective endorsement of the UNDAF document through meaningful discussion with Pacific Governments and development partners;

- Effective discussion surrounding the UNDAF implementation;

- Discussion and collective understanding on aid effectiveness

UNDAF, 07/05/07.