Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 4 • Number 2 • 6th February 2004

Small Island States Address Sustainable Development Issues

Discuss this articleShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say

Over 300 participants convened on 26-30 January to address progress and challenges to the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where trade was a recurrent topic. Documents emerging from the meeting, including a ‘Nassau Declaration’ and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Strategy Paper for the further implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA), noted that special and differential treatment under the WTO emerged as a priority for SIDS, as access to the benefits of globalisation and integration into the global economy would be limited without these provisions. Countries further noted that inability to effectively participate in multilateral negotiations and weakening economic performance since 1994 threatened sustainable development in their regions. The AOISIS strategy paper advocates for the adoption of procedures allowing smooth transition from Least-developed Country (LDC) status and an integrated framework of technical assistance and cooperation for trade and development in SIDS to be adopted by the WTO. The paper also requests the establishment of special long-term financial mechanisms to facilitate the adjustment of SIDS to the post-Uruguay Round trading environment, the recognition by the WTO to maintain subsidy measures by SIDS, greater attention to the environmental dimensions of trade and continued examination of the trade implications of multilateral environment agreements. Regarding biodiversity resources, the paper calls for financial support from the international community for building effective partnerships; addressing island biodiversity under the CBD; controlling the introduction of alien invasive species; and developing and implementing national biosafety frameworks, including the effective implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety which many SIDS have ratified.

Outcomes of the Inter-regional Preparatory Meeting for the Ten-year Review of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS will be forwarded for consideration at the 12th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Commission will in turn make recommendations to the International Meeting for the Ten-year Review of the Programme of Action on SIDS, to take place in Mauritius from 30 August to 3 September 2004.

“Summary of the Inter Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 10 Year Review of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS,” ENB, 2 February 2004.