VIEW FROM THE CPA SMALL BRANCHES CHAIRPERSON
CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS: VIEW FROM THE CPA SMALL BRANCHES View from the CPA Small Branches Chairperson
At the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the where those already suffering are falling deeper United Nations Charter this year and as the CPA into despair. If, however, the global pandemic Small Branches Chairperson, I am honoured has shown us anything positive, it is of our interon behalf of the CPA Small Branches network connectedness and ability to communicate and to acknowledge, recognise and applaud the cooperate across, and irrespective of, geography significance of the United Nations within the or time-zones – more so than perhaps thought international community, especially among the previous possible. It is through these strengths most vulnerable communities. The UN Charter that the United Nations can be a leading force that was agreed on 26th June 1945, that calls in ensuring that the spirit of collaboration is for the UN to maintain international peace and strengthened as the world overcomes and security; promote social progress and better recovers from the current pandemic. Hon. Niki Rattle, Chairperson standards of life; strengthen international laws as The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable of the CPA Small Branches well as to promote human rights, is as relevant Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by and Speaker of the today as it was 75 years ago. all United Nations Member States in 2015, Parliament of the Cook The current COVID-19 pandemic has further provides a plan to address global challenges Islands heightened the absolute need for the UN including poverty, inequality, climate change, Charter’s fundamental principles to be adhered environmental degradation, peace and justice. to, as thousands of lives around the world have Many of these were also pertinent 75 years ago been lost and thousands more continue to be threatened. Many of on the signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco, USA. Every the difficulties adhering to the principles of the UN Charter prior to Branch within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the pandemic have in many respects been exacerbated to a point including the CPA Small Branches network, also play a key role in the implementation of the SDGs, both at the national and international level. Significantly, Parliaments can provide crucial oversight towards ensuring governments make the necessary “Coming from a small jurisdiction - the progress in meeting their national and international sustainable Cook Islands - and in my role as CPA Small development commitments, and that importantly, any actions benefit all levels of society. Parliament also plays a role in ensuring Branches Chairperson, I value the work that national budget decisions and the allocation of resources to ministries align with the SDGs. Importantly, the goals are interdone by the United Nations towards connected and as Member States and Parliaments work towards securing the sustainable development of their implementation, a holistic approach with rigorous monitoring, evaluation and reporting mechanisms is essential to ensure that those nations commonly labelled small ‘no one is left behind’ and that they are achieved by the stated island developing states (SIDS). Despite goal of 2030. Coming from a small jurisdiction - the Cook Islands - and in my being among the smallest nations with role as CPA Small Branches Chairperson, I value the work done by the smallest populations, SIDS and other the United Nations towards securing the sustainable development of those nations commonly labelled small island developing states Small Branches are among the most (SIDS). Despite being among the smallest nations with the smallest affected by many of the world’s most populations, SIDS and other Small Branches are among the most affected by many of the world’s most critical challenges, including critical challenges, including climate climate change, economic crisis’, and more recently, the COVID-19 change, economic crisis’, and more pandemic. The multilateral sphere, most importantly through the United Nations system is one of the key areas where SIDS and recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.” 202 | The Parliamentarian | 2020: Issue Three | 100 years of publishing 1920-2020
