In 1994, member States recommended and subsequently endorsed, “relying on the most efficient and cost-effective use of resources”, that the SIDS Unit be mandated to fulfill the following functions:
- Provide substantive secretariat support to intergovernmental and inter-agency processes related to the monitoring, review and coordination of the implementation of the Programme of Action;
- Act as a liaison and focal point for Governments, organs, programmes and agencies of the United Nations system, as well as other relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, on matters related to the follow-up to the Conference and the implementation of the Programme of Action;
- Prepare reports to be submitted to the Commission on Sustainable Development, and other relevant bodies, on the implementation of the Programme of Action, drawing on the inputs from all appropriate sources;
- Provide support, as appropriate, to other activities emanating from the Programme of Action.
In addition to the above-mentioned core functions and the added tasks prescribed by the BPoA, over subsequent years, the Assembly, with additional requests, has expended the responsibilities of the Secretariat, through the monitoring and reporting of specified and additional SIDS priority areas requiring further focused attention, including repeated requests for reporting on the implementation of its annual resolutions. Table: 1 identify the additional responsibilities bestowed on the Secretariat by the Assembly.
