Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States represented
at the United Nations (Pacific SIDS), namely, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau,
Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and my own country,
Fiji.
The Pacific SIDS align themselves with the statement made on behalf of AOSIS. We join others
in congratulating the members of the bureau on their election.
Mr. Chairman,
The Pacific SIDS attach particular importance to the Commission on Sustainable Development
as it is the primary intergovernmental body responsible for the implementation and follow-up to
the commitments relating to small island developing States. This important duty must be
properly discharged by the Commission.
To assist the Commission in its work, we are fortunate this year to have the Outcome Document
from the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation of the high level review that followed a robust
assessment process in all SIDS regions and the intergovernmental negotiations here in New
York. We must work constructively towards following up the issues identified in the Outcome
Document at the Commission meetings this year to give effect to the agreements reached, or
else we risk perpetuating the failings recognized in the MSI review process.
One of the major issues highlighted in the high level review was the serious shortcomings in the
institutional support structure to assist SIDS in their progress towards sustainable development.
The review also identified the need to refocus efforts towards a more result-oriented approach.
To take this forward, we encourage our partners to continue to work with us in concretising the
MSI and the BPoA through defining benchmarks and time-bound goals, similar to the approach
of other development programmes such as the MDGs. This would enable the CSD to more
effectively carry out its work in monitoring the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy and the
BPoA.
We also reiterate our call for the establishment of a formal UN SIDS category to allow for
targeted and operationally effective support programmes for SIDS.
These matters are priority issues for the Pacific SIDS and were specifically identified during the
Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting in February. We are concerned that they are not yet
reflected in this year?s draft outcome document. The specific elements the Pacific SIDS propose
for the outcome document are set out in the Annex to this statement and we ask that those
proposals be incorporate under the section on Interlinkages, Cross Cutting Issues and Means of
Implementation. It is appropriate for a body that is charged to review the implementation of
commitments relating to small island developing states to ensure these matters are properly
reflected in the Outcome Document.
Mr. Chairman,
Turning now to one of the thematic areas, namely the sustainable consumption and production
patterns, for the Pacific SIDS, like all SIDS, the sustainable management of marine resources is
essential to our food security and economic growth. That end goal is what characterizes and is
called the Blue Economy by the Pacific, which we consider is critical within the framework of our
sustainable development. Over-fishing, destructive fishing practices, impacts of waste, as well
as the negative effects of climate change and ocean acidification are unsustainable
consumption and production patterns that are seriously undermining sustainable development in
our region. All efforts to work towards SCP need to properly recognize and accommodate the
importance of the marine environment.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, we cannot talk meaningfully about sustainable development in the
Pacific, unless we address the very real possibility that some of our islands may no longer be
inhabitable in the future and some may be totally submerged as a result of the impacts of
climate change. Climate change cuts across the thematic areas for this CSD. For example,
most of our transport infrastructure including ports, many airports and coastal roads are
vulnerable to rising sea-levels. Accordingly, the work of the CSD is important, but in terms of
climate change being an existential threat for our islands, we must also recognize that the work
of the CSD will only be effective, if the international community urgently increases its ambition in
responding to the climate crisis and make substantive progress throughout this year in the
UNFCCC negotiations.
We echo the call for and the hope that this session agrees on action-oriented approaches.
Thank you.
Annex One: Pacific SIDS Contribution to the CSD19 Outcome Document
Small Island Developing States
Shortcomings in the institutional support for SIDS, as highlighted in the High-level review of the
Mauritius Strategy, as well as other constraints to the full and effective implementation of the
MSI and BPoA need to be effectively addressed.
The lack of specificity in the BPoA and the MSI are major constraints in assessing their
implementation and a more focused and results-oriented approach, with specific benchmarks,
goals and targets needs to be implemented to effectively address the unique and particular
vulnerabilities of SIDS and the implementation and monitoring of the BPoA and the MSI.
There is a need for more technical data and analysis to inform options by which the UN system
could more consistently and effectively address the unique and particular vulnerabilities of SIDS
and implement the BPoA and the MSI, including consideration of the creation of a formal UN
SIDS category.
A more formal, holistic coordination mechanism for delivering UN and non-UN support to SIDS
is essential to the effective implementation of the BPoA and the MSI.
Rio plus 20
The importance of the conservation and sustainable management of ocean and marine
resources, including fish stocks and the protection of coral reefs to the themes of Rio plus 20
needs to be emphasized.
