High Level Session on Presentation of the UN Secretary General 2022 Report on Special Measures for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). Remarks of the UN Resident Coordinator for Moldova Mr. Simon Springett.

Prevention from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse is a common thread that runs through all of individual and collective work, it is a common theme that bonds us together.

The success and the impact of our work in sustainable development, humanitarian response, and peace and just transitions depends on building and maintaining the trust of those we serve.

In Moldova, PSEA is and remains on the top of our agenda. With the onset of the War in Ukraine in late 2022, we saw an exponential expansion in the number of staff and organizations working in Moldova, which heighten the risks for sexual exploitation and abuse. As the coordinator of the Refugee Coordination Forum, the UNCHR immediately deployed a PSEA Coordinator as initial surge support that was then complimented by many other agencies and organisations. Over the last year, we have seen major progress on PSEA prevention and response with the support of the PSEA Network and the pre-existing PSEA Task Force.

I would like to thank you for all of your dedication and attention to this.

The Republic of Moldova is a good example of collaboration and commitment across the refugee response and development cooperation, including the PSEA Action Plan for 2023 being fully funded – which isn’t always the case.

We have now also embarked on a comprehensive Risk Assessment, a pool of independent investigators is being trained and will be made available for all the organizations not having internal investigation capacities. As well as a number of  awareness raising campaigns and trainings, which will be explained in more detail by our colleagues from PSEA Task Force and Network.

Today’s High-Level Initiative is to again underscore the collective commitment of all the development and humanitarian community in Moldova to further strengthen our capacities of sexual exploitation and abuse prevention and response. There is always more work to be done to ensure that everyone has access to safe and robust reporting channels, quality services, appropriate assistance, and ensuring that people voices are heard.

This takes both partnership, commitment, and investment from all of us - and must be a key consideration in our programme design and delivery.

I look forward to continuing to work with you all of you to ensure that we continue to have robust Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse safeguards and structures in place.