Mauritius

Check Against Delivery
STATEMENT
by
The Hon. Anil Kumar Bachoo
Minister of Environment &
National Development Unit
at the
14th Review Session of the United Nations
Commission on Sustainable Development
11 May 2006
New York
MAURITIUS
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
211 EAST 43RD ST. NEW YORK, NY 10017 TEL : [phone] FAX : [phone]
Mr. Chairman,
It is a pleasure for me to address the Commission on Sustainable
Development at its 14th Session. I thank the Secretary-General for his presence at
the opening of the High-Level Segment as well as for his report . I am particularly
grateful for the special review on Small Island Developing States .
My delegation aligns itself with the statements made by the Republic of
South Africa on behalf of G-77 and China and by Botswana on behalf of Southern
African Development Community. .
Mr. Chairman, this second cycle addresses issues on energy, climate
change, atmospheric pollution and industrial development as well as the linkages
among them . From a SIDS perspective, there are intricate linkages between
energy and sustainable development .
Mr. Chairman, SIDS are particularly vulnerable to and are suffering from
the impacts of globalization and trade liberalization . We are bound to change our
economic architecture by exploring niche markets, consolidating our tourism
sector and developing the services sector, among others . However, there is a time
lag, as markets need to be prospected, capacity developed and investment projects
funded. Further, in view of our limited carrying capacity, the environmental
impact of development, especially in the tourism and manufacturing sectors
exacerbates our vulnerability. To complicate matters further, energy cost is
annihilating all our efforts towards competitiveness in international as well as
local markets leading to unemployment and negative growth in our countries .
Our partners in the north, have ? the, responsibility to provide comprehensive
and timely support integrating financial resources, technology development and
deployment and capacity building to accompany our economic reform.
The shift towards renewable sources has thus also become an imperative.
Cost of energy impairs efforts of developing countries towards sustainable
development. These countries are actively involved in prospecting and promoting
renewable energy . There are promising possibilities for bio-fuel, ocean
technology and other sources, especially in SIDS . But to apply the appropriate
technology to ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency, and to find the financial
resources needed for investment, both in research and production remain a major
constraint. We still need to see a real interest to help developing countries harness
these possibilities.
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Mr. Chairman, the full impacts of climate change on SIDS are not fully
appreciated by the international community. We are concerned that the full
environmental, economic and social dimensions of the impact of climate change
on SIDS are given only marginal attention, while their vulnerability continues to
grow. There is also a lack of information and detailed scientific research .
Adaptation projects continue to be implemented with local funds in SIDS, as
affirmed in the report of the Secretary-General . Donors, specially the GEF within
its focal area of climate change, should direct full support, through special
windows, to adaptation activities in SIDS, and to research and collection of
scientific data.
Mr. Chairman, SIDS day provided an opportunity to review progress in
taking forward the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation . The discussion has
clearly shown that SIDS cannot walk alone in this process .
It is remarkable that considerable efforts have been made to bring
sustainable development in the mainstream through appropriate, strategies in
SIDS. What gives rise to serious concern is the fact that fifteen years after Rio, we
still have to make the same appeal for financial resources, access to affordable
and appropriate technology and capacity building, which are fundamental means
of implementation.
Mr. Chairman, this second cycle can, and should, make a difference . In
this respect, my delegation urges that a proper mechanism be put in place to
mobilize the necessary resources, and call on the Secretary-General to ensure that
the DESA plays its role fully .
Thank you.