CSD IPM, 27 February 2009
Austria: Speaking Notes ? Cross-cutting/interlinkages
Austria aligns herself with the statement held by the Czech
Republic on behalf of the European Union.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight two aspects in this
discussion
1) Note and emphasise specific challenges of the Small Island
Developing States; especially in the context of climate
change.
Speaking on behalf of Italy and Austria in this respect, we would
like to express that both our governments are very appreciative for
having been able to participate in the important cooperation with
the pacific SIDS that was highlighted throughout this week.
We are glad that this has been taken up so positively and that we
were able to contribute to real impact on the ground. This maybe
provides a good example to be replicated and taken up by others
as well.
In this context: The Global Forum on Sustainable Energy will
celebrate ist tenth anniversary this year. The GFSE will convene in
Vienna from 22 ? 24 June 2009, dedicated to the theme ?Towards
an Integrated Energy Agenda Beyond 2020: Securing Sustainable
Policies and Investments?
Further information soon be posted on the GFSE website
(
www.gfse.at).
2) we need to prepare for the future
that means we need to protect and preserve biological diversity so
that we can build on it in the future and for economic development
not in a romantic manner, but we need to do this in a way that is
environmentally sound and accpetable to societies that have for
instance a keen interest in natural and organic products.
We need to make use of traditional knowledge often held by
indigenous peoples and local communities that have a vital role as
custodians of biodiversity
Mme Chair,
plant genetic resources for food and agriculture pivotal for future
crop breeding that could meet the challenges of an ever changing
environment, be it through climate change or new pests.
The ITPGRFA provides the fundamental mechanism for global
exchange of those PGRFA. 119 states are already contracting
parties to the Treaty.
It is important that this be extended further and lead ultimately to
global membership, so that all countries are able to benefit from
facilitated access to those genetic resources and from the benefits
arising thereof.
Thank you
