Most of the Pacific's Polynesian nations have been told they are close to achieving most of the Millennium Development Goals.
Speaking at a workshop in the Cook Islands, the UNDP's representative, Naheed Haque, praised Niue, Tokelau, Samoa and the Cook Islands for their efforts but said three goals remain further out of reach.
These include gender equality and the empowerment of women, and environmental sustainability.
And Ms Haque stressed that the overall goals can only be achieved if the gender dimension is addressed in each goal.
Ms Haque also says although key national environmental policies and plans are in place, urgent action needs to be taken to address priority environmental issues.
