Speech by Grete Faremo, Under Secretary Gene​ral and Executiv​e Director of UNOPS, at the Bahamas Sym​posium, Nassau, 21 February 2017

The symposium will look at how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can integrate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA Pathway) into national planning, policies, strategies and public institutions. UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo is attending the event, which is organized by the Government of the Bahamas, with support from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded, slammed into the Philippines. A new project is helping part of the country continue to rebuild.

The world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations are the most dependent on public goods and services. They feel the brunt of waste and corruption in public procurement more than anyone else. Here’s how we can contribute to making it better.

Towards better movement between Serbia and Kosovo*

The District General Hospital of Vavuniya can do what it does best — care for the health of people — without worrying about sewage and waste water contaminating the environment.

UNOPS and the Danish Institute for International Studies are bringing together key stakeholders in infrastructure projects in fragile and conflict-affected states for a high-level workshop. Participants will learn from their shared experience, build upon successes and understand the risks associated with this sector. The workshop will lead to a joint report aimed at informing future governance for delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals in fragile and conflict-affected states. Honoré Dainhi, UNOPS Regional Director for Africa, and Bruce McKerrow, UNOPS Infrastructure and Project Management Group Director ad-interim, are speaking at the event.​

Statement by Grete Faremo, Under Secretary Gene​ral and Executiv​e Director of UNOPS, at Fi​rst regular session of the Executive Board, 31 January 2017

UNOPS Executive Director is in New York for a week of meetings, including her first visit with new UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. She will deliver her statement at the first regular session of the Executive Board on Tuesday.

The first regular session of the UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS Executive Board will take place in New York at UN Headquarters.

The vast majority of Colombia’s poor live in rural areas. Forty-five percent of the population live under the national poverty line, surviving on less than $1.25 per day.

Co-hosted by the UN and Finland, the event will present the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan 2017-2018 and the Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria 2017. These plans outline the international community's coordinated responses to the crisis in Syria and its impact on neighbouring countries. The event will provide partners with a clear description of the goals, scope, challenges, achievements and financial requirements of the plans. UNOPS Partnerships Director Nikolaj Gilbert is attending the event.