Apia – The United Nations System in the Pacific recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oceania Football Confederation to undertake joint activities that empower and promote Pacific youth development through sports.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on Wednesday 15th November at an Extraordinary Congress of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.  The Extraordinary Congress celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the OFC.

The MOU was signed by Mr. Reynald Temarii on behalf of the OFC and received by Mr. Abel Caine, UNESCO Adviser for Communication and Information on behalf of the UN System covering the Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tokelau.

The United Nations (UN) in the Pacific and the OFC are developing a comprehensive Sports and MDGs programme from 2007 – 2011 that aims to strengthen development outcomes by using football as a means to promote awareness and the achievement of the MDGs and development outcomes for Pacific youth to become self-sufficient, unified, responsible and involved citizens.

Mr. Caine delivered remarks on behalf of Ms. Naheed Haque and Ms Jacqui Badcock, Resident Coordinators for the Samoa United Nations Country Team and the Papua New Guinea United Nations Country Team.  The UN extended greetings from the 14 UN agencies working in the Pacific and congratulated the OFC on reaching 40 years of development support to the Oceania region.

Paying tribute to OFC and its parent body FIFA, the UN acknowledged the vision of leveraging their global network and resources to improve development outcomes and developing football as “school for life”.

The UN linked the OFC’s development work to the United Nation’s role of improving the quality of lives for the world’s citizens including all Pacific Island communities.

“Our purpose is clearly articulated in the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce poverty, improve education and health for all, and to preserve our unique Pacific environment for future generations to enjoy.”

The UN hoped that the UN – OFC partnership advanced mutual development goals for Pacific communities especially young people who make up 50% of the population.

The UN concluded by thanking the President and Secretary-General of the OFC as well as the Secretary-General for Samoa Football Association for initiating and signing the MOU.

More information on the MOU and the UN Sports for MDGs Programme can be obtained from the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator, Samoa on phone: +685 23-670.

Charmina Saili, Resident Coordinator Adviser
UN Office for the Resident Coordinator
Apia, SAMOA

PH: +685 23-670