In addressing poverty, UNDP focuses not just on poverty of incomes but on poverty as a denial of choices and opportunities for living a tolerable life. Our assistance is therefore directed primarily to the creation of employment and sustainable livelihoods, the advancement of women, empowerment of disadvantaged groups, protection and regeneration of the environment, and the improved governance of development. At this time of particular economic difficulty, perhaps the most critical development issue confronting Pacific island countries is how to generate enough remunerative income-earning opportunities for their people. The populations of these countries are predominantly young and some are growing considerably faster than the national economy. Formal sector jobs now cater for only a minority of workers, but a growing proportion of people want a cash income.
Young people are particularly at risk of unemployment.
In some countries, there are more than seven times as many young people seeking work each year as there are new jobs available and the gap between supply and demand seems almost certain to grow. Another way to meet Pacific islanders' aspirations and to counter poverty is to increase opportunities for self-employment and to stimulate informal sector growth. We do this through publication of reports, directories, newsletters and of course this web-site. We continuously update it and invite you our viewers to check in regularly as there is new material added weekly. Your comments too on the site would be very much appreciated.