united nations zero draft outcome of third international conference on small island developing...
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ZERO DRAFT OF THE OUTCOME OF THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE ON SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
Preamble
1. We, the Heads of State and Government and High-Level Representatives, along
with Civil Society, having met in Apia, Samoa, from September 1-4, 2014, at the
Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, reaffirm our
commitment to the sustainable development of small island developing States
(SIDS).1
2. We reaffirm the commitments we made at United Nations conferences and
summits on sustainable development: The Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, the
Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, the Plan of
Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation including chapter VII on the sustainable development of
small island developing States) and the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable
Development, the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States (Barbados Programme of Action-BPOA) and the
Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (MSI); and
the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development entitled “The future we want.”
3. We reaffirm that we continue to be guided by the purposes and principles of the
Charter of the United Nations, with full respect for international law and its
principles.2
4. We also reaffirm the importance of freedom, peace and security, respect for all
human rights, including the right to development and the right to an adequate
standard of living, including the right to food, the rule of law, gender equality,
women’s empowerment and the overall commitment to just and democratic
societies for development.3
5. Twenty years ago, we acknowledged that SIDS were a special case in sustainable
development and agreed on a blueprint to pursue a holistic and integrated
approach to sustainable development for SIDS.4
1 Composite language derived in part from The Future We Want para 1
2 The Future We Want para 7
3 The Future We Want para 8
4 Composite language derived from The Future We Want paras 178 and 180
2
6. In Mauritius in 2005, we developed a strategy to implement the programme of
action for the sustainable development of SIDS, and here in Samoa, we
acknowledge the need to advance the global effort in support of the sustainable
development of SIDS.5
7. The vulnerabilities of SIDS will continue to grow unless urgent steps are taken to
address our common environmental, social and economic challenges. The large
range of impacts from climate change and potentially more frequent and intense
natural disasters constitute unprecedented threats for SIDS.6
8. We believe the challenges faced by SIDS require approaches to development
tailored to the particular circumstances of SIDS. Furthermore, we seek to bring a
new sense of momentum for the sustainable development of SIDS.7
9. In today’s complex and interdependent world, partnerships of all kinds will be
critical to future success. The theme of the Third International Conference on
SIDS, “The sustainable development of SIDS through genuine and durable
partnerships,” reflects this reality and lays a cornerstone for building a sustainable
future for SIDS. Partnerships take many forms, but all should be based on mutual
trust, equality, respect, transparency and accountability.8
10. We commit ourselves to act together to help the peoples of SIDS ensure that their
hope for sustainable development is realized.9
11. We further commit ourselves to address SIDS’ priorities in the post-2015
development agenda, including the eradication of poverty, building resilience and
improving the health and well-being of their peoples.10
Progress, Challenges and Opportunities, and Pragmatic Actions to Address Them
12. We recognize that SIDS have made significant efforts at the national and regional
levels to implement the BPOA and the MSI. They have mainstreamed sustainable
development principles into national development plans, policies and strategies,
and undertaken political commitments to promote and raise awareness of the
importance of sustainable development issues. They have also mobilized
resources at the national and regional levels despite their limited resource base.
SIDS have demonstrated strong leadership in calling for ambitious and urgent
5 Composite language including the Future We Want, para 180
6 Derived from The Future We Want, para 178
7 Derived from Australia written input and President of Seychelles in opening of AIMS regional meeting
8 Composite language from PrepCom.
9 Composite language including from Johannesburg Declaration paras 24 and 35
10 Composite language from PrepCom
3
action to address climate change, in protecting biodiversity, and in adopting
strategies for promoting renewable energy.11
13. We recognize that, while the well-being of SIDS and their peoples depends first
and foremost on national actions, it also depends critically on a strong partnership
with the international community and on enhanced international cooperation and
action to address global sustainable development challenges.12
14. We recognize there is an urgent need to strengthen cooperation and ensure
genuine and durable partnerships at the national, regional and international levels
to address issues related to the sustainable development of SIDS. The proposed
actions outlined below will be undertaken by the international community in
support of SIDS efforts.13
Sustainable Economic Development
15. SIDS have not sustained high levels of economic growth and continue to be
negatively impacted by, inter alia, food insecurity, lack of adequate transport
networks and other infrastructure, degradation of their coastal and marine
environments, water insecurity, inadequate waste management systems, heavy
debt burdens and the adverse impacts of the global economic and financial
crisis.14
16. In the face of these challenges, it is vitally important to build the resilience of
SIDS societies and economies and to recognize that people are the greatest natural
resource of SIDS. To reach their full potential, SIDS with international support
will need to invest even more in the education and training of their people. They
will need to achieve higher rates of economic growth and job creation, to address
high rates of unemployment (particularly of women and youth) as well as to slow
migration of labour and brain drain. Sound macro-economic policies, effective
and sustainable economic management, fiscal predictability, investment and
regulatory certainty, and sustainable debt are also critical.15
11
Inter-regional, paras 14-16 12
EU written input 13
Composite language from PrepCom 14
Inter-regional, para 20 15
Inter-regional, paras 44, 136 and NZ written input
4
17. We recognize that the private sector plays an increasingly important role in
achieving sustainable economic development.16
18. We agree to take the following actions:
a) Support investments in formal and non-formal education, including
entrepreneurial skills development, and in building and strengthening
education infrastructure.17
b) Build capacity and increase the competitiveness of micro, small and
medium enterprises and new social actors of SIDS economies.18
c) Support national and regional initiatives that help to increase the
capacity and developmental impact of the financial services industry in
SIDS.19
d) Create local jobs through public projects in the area of climate change
resilience and adaptation and encourage entrepreneurs start up
environment friendly enterprises, through adequate incentives.20
e) Foster private sector investment and job creation, particularly the
creation of decent and green jobs.21
f) Develop innovative programs to address youth unemployment.22
g) Establish an inter- and intra-regional trade information and facilitation
platform to facilitate information sharing.23
19. In particular, we note that sustainable tourism represents one important current
and future driver of SIDS economic growth and job creation. As such, we agree to
take the following actions:24
a) Develop policies that foster responsive, resilient and inclusive tourism.
b) Support SIDS’ promotion and development of sustainable eco- and
cultural tourism.
c) Promote policies that allow the economy and communities to gain
maximum benefits from tourism, and support the design and
implementation of participatory measures to strengthen local
employment and engagement in the sector, including through
16
NZ written input, Australia written input 17
Inter-regional para 44 18
Inter-regional, para 153 19
Inter-regional, para 173 20
Derived from ILO written input 21
Derived from NZ written input, Australia written input, ILO written input 22
Derived from ILO oral statement, Children and Youth MG oral statement 23
Inter-regional, para 153 24
All of para 19 derived from the Nassau Declaration of Tourism, submitted by Bahamas as a written input. (b) from Inter-regional para 47 in addition to Nassau Declaration.
5
partnerships and capacity development, especially in the area of
statistics.
d) Protect the SIDS’ natural and cultural heritage, especially their
ecosystems and biodiversity.
e) Take full advantage of the expertise of the Global Sustainable Tourism
Council, UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global
Observatories on Sustainable Tourism and the Global Partnership for
Sustainable Tourism to provide direct and focused support to
governments to this end.
f) Encourage establishment and maintenance of governance and
management structures for tourism, which bring together tourism,
environment, health, disaster management, culture, transport, security
and immigration, planning and development responsibilities and
expertise, and enable a meaningful partnership approach between the
public and private sector and local community.
20. High levels of debt threaten the sustainable development of many SIDS and, as
such, we will explore a number of innovative means of addressing this problem,
including25
a) Adding a criterion of vulnerability to eligibility criteria to access
concessional finance of international finance institutions.
b) Offering counter-cyclical lending contracts that substantially diminish
debt servicing in periods of external shocks.
c) Exploring debt-for-climate change adaptation and mitigation
schemes.26
d) Enhancing the “smooth transition” period for SIDS that have recently
graduated from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.27
Climate Change
21. We stress that climate change remains the greatest challenge to SIDS. Its adverse
impacts, including resulting sea level rise and more frequent and intense natural
disasters, continue to undermine progress towards development and, in the case of
some SIDS, pose an existential threat.28
25
Derived from inter-regional paras 174 and 175 26
(a), (b), (c) derived from Commonwealth Secretariat written input and UNCTAD oral statement 27
Inter-regional para 176 28
Needhams Point Bridgetown Declaration, para 11
6
22. We acknowledge that SIDS have shown leadership in international efforts against
climate change, both in calling for ambitious global mitigation targets and in
undertaking innovative adaptation measures at home.29
23. We acknowledge the importance of a global effort to address both mitigation of
and adaptation to climate change, recognizing that the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the international process
overseeing this work. SIDS look in particular to the international community to
advance the Warsaw international mechanism for loss and damage and to support
SIDS in implementing their Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions and in
meeting their adaptation needs in the short, medium and long term.30
24. In this regard, we agree to take the following actions:
a) Work for an ambitious and universal agreement within the UNFCCC
in 2015.
b) Work through the UNFCCC to address SIDS issues, including through
the provision of new and additional resources.31
c) Address the security implications of climate change, including
violation of territorial integrity, more frequent and severe climate-
related disasters, threats to water and food security, increased natural
resource scarcity, and forced displacement and the human dimensions
of climate change, including, where necessary, initiatives for preparing
communities for relocation.32
d) Provide for full operationalization and capitalisation of the Green
Climate Fund, with developed countries scaling-up financing to reach
USD 100 billion per year by 2020.33
e) Support Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation (REDD Plus) activities, to bridge the mitigation gap, and
encourage early agreement on modalities for REDD Plus results-based
financing from both public and private sources.34
Sustainable Energy
29
Derived from Inter-regional paras 7 and 15 30
Inter-regional paras 60 and 66, with reference to Warsaw added after COP19 31
(a) and (b) derived from G77 oral statement 32
Inter-regional para 62 33
Inter-regional para 63 34
Inter-regional para 67
7
25. Energy dependence is a major source of economic vulnerability for many SIDS
and has been a key challenge for many decades. At the same time, though SIDS
are often considered resource poor, one source of wealth lies in their renewable
energy resources.35
26. The three overall objectives of the Secretary-General’s “Sustainable Energy for
All” initiative (securing access to modern energy services, increasing energy
efficiency, and scaling up the use of renewable energy in energy systems) can
provide a useful framework in this regard.36
27. We will work to
a) Scale up financial support and investments as well as technological
transfer and capacity building to develop and implement national, regional
and inter-regional energy roadmaps, policies, plans and strategies,
including the expansion of renewable energy.37
b) Develop a strategy and targeted measures to promote marine renewable
energy as well as wind, solar and geothermal energy in SIDS.38
c) Develop a financing mechanism to support the implementation of
renewable energy projects in SIDS.39
d) Encourage bold and ambitious renewable energy targets for the next
decade, recognizing that SIDS’ leadership could contribute to shaping the
post-2015 development agenda in this area.40
e) Enhance regional and inter-regional SIDS-SIDS cooperation for research
and technological development and implementation of appropriate
renewable energy and energy efficient and environmentally-sound
technologies.41
f) Provide technical studies on grid stability and innovative storage
mechanisms.42
Disaster risk reduction
35
Derived from FSM oral statement 36
Derived from EU written input 37
Inter-regional paras 116 and 117 38
Mauritius oral statement, FSM oral statement 39
Inter-regional para 120 40
Derived from US written input and composite language PrepCom 41
Derived from Inter-regional paras 34, 117, 121, 150 42
Inter-regional para 118
8
28. SIDS are disproportionately affected by natural disasters, and there is critical need
to build resilience, strengthen prevention, and reduce risks in this context.43
29. We support a renewed international framework on disaster risk reduction, and we
commit to44
a) Implementing the internationally agreed framework for disaster risk
reduction, the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015.45
b) Support SIDS-led efforts to harmonize national reporting systems (e.g. the
new generation HFA reporting, national reports on UNFCCC, and a
possible reporting mechanism on future sustainable development goals) by
aligning targets and indicators across agreements and instruments.46
c) Assist SIDS in establishing and strengthening catastrophic risk insurance
facilities.47
d) Promote investment in early warning systems, observation equipment, pre-
disaster risk reduction and post-disaster recovery, and disaster readiness
education programs.48
Oceans and Seas
30. Oceans and seas, along with coastal areas, form an essential component of the
Earth’s ecosystem and are intrinsically linked to sustainable development.
Healthy, productive and resilient oceans are critical for poverty eradication, food
security, livelihoods, and carbon sequestration, and represent an important
element of identity and culture for the people of SIDS. Fisheries, coastal tourism,
possible exploitation of seabed resources and potential sources of renewable
energy are the building blocks of an ocean-based economy in SIDS. SIDS are
custodians of vast expanses of oceans and as such they must have ownership of
strategies concerning the sustainable development of oceans. Already they have
shown leadership in, inter alia, advancing marine protected areas.49
43
Inter-regional para 122, combined with composite language from PrepCom inputs 44
Derived from EU oral statement 45
Inter-regional para 123 46
Derived from UNISDR written input 47
Inter-regional para 124 48
Inter-regional para 122, combined with Japan written input 49
Inter-regional paras 93 and 94, combined with CARICOM oral statement, FSM oral statement, Mauritius oral statement
9
31. We note that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides the
legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their
resources.50
32. An integrated, holistic approach to all ocean related economic activities—both
onshore and offshore—is needed to optimize economic opportunities with due
regard to conservation efforts and the need to ensure coherence and balance
among the three dimensions of sustainable development.51
33. With this in mind, we pledge to
a) Support SIDS’ national and regional efforts to assess, conserve and
sustainably manage the oceans, seas and their marine resources, including
through supporting research and implementation of plans and strategies on
coastal zone management and ecosystem based management, as well as
enhancing the legal and institutional frameworks for licensing and
exploitation of natural and mineral resources.52
b) Support the full and effective implementation of the UN Environment
Program (UNEP) Regional Seas Strategy.53
c) Provide support to SIDS to address marine pollution from a number of
marine and land-based sources.54
d) Take urgent action to protect coral reefs, including through the
development and implementation of comprehensive and integrated
approaches for their management and the enhancement of their resilience
to withstand pressures, including ocean acidification, and the
implementation of area-based management measures.55
e) Provide assistance to SIDS in undertaking marine scientific research and
developing their technological capacity, including through the
establishment of dedicated regional oceanographic centers, the provision
of technical assistance for submissions to the Commission on the Limits of
the Continental Shelf and the support of marine scientific research in the
sea bed area beyond national jurisdiction.56
f) Support SIDS in enhancing and implementing the regime for monitoring,
control and surveillance of fishing vessels, to effectively prevent, deter
50
From The Future We Want, para 158 51
Derived from Mauritius oral statement, UNESCO written input 52
Inter-regional paras 98 and 103, combined with Mauritius input 53
Inter-regional para 97 54
Inter-regional para 97, CARICOM oral statement 55
Inter-regional paras 101, 109, 110 56
Inter-regional paras 94, 105, 106, 111
10
and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including
by investing in institutional capacity at the national, regional and
international levels.57
g) Call on the UN system and regional fisheries bodies to give increased
attention to the value of small-scale fisheries.58
Food Security
34. SIDS, being primarily net food importing countries, are exceptionally vulnerable
to availability and price volatility of food imports. It is therefore important to
ensure food security, eradicate hunger, and provide sustainable livelihoods while
conserving land, water, plant and animal genetic resources, biodiversity and
ecosystems. We stress the crucial role of healthy marine ecosystems, sustainable
fisheries, and sustainable aquaculture for food security and nutrition and in
providing for the livelihoods of the people of the SIDS.59
35. In this regard, we agree to
a) Promote more sustainable agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture to
improve food security.60
b) Enhance international cooperation to dampen global food price
volatility.61
c) Enhance SIDS agriculture and fisheries’ resilience to climate change and
natural disasters (see dedicated sections).62
d) Call on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to facilitate a
special meeting on food and nutrition security in SIDS in order to develop
an action program to address these challenges facing SIDS.63
e) Support through technical cooperation SIDS efforts to maintain natural
ecological processes that support food production systems.64
Water65
36. Small islands face numerous challenges with respect to freshwater resources,
including pollution, saline intrusion, soil erosion and waste water. Changes in
57
Inter-regional para 100 58
Barbados oral statement 59
Inter-regional paras 88 and 92 60
Inter-regional para 92 61
Inter-regional para 88 62
Inter-regional para 89 63
Inter-regional para 90 64
Inter-regional para 92 65
Subheading introduced based on PrepCom inputs
11
rainfall patterns due to climate change have a huge impact on water availability
and quality.66
37. In this regard, we agree to
a. Support the development of institutional and human capacities involved in
water conservation.67
b. Support provision of adequate facilities and infrastructure, both built and
natural, for safe drinking water and sanitation systems.
c. Facilitate the expansion of wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse, and
support improved water-use efficiency.
d. Support SIDS in enhancing effective water governance.68
Sustainable Transport69
38. We note that transportation and mobility are central to sustainable development.
Sustainable transportation can enhance economic growth and improve
accessibility. Sustainable transport achieves better integration of the economy
while respecting the environment. We recognize the importance of the efficient
movement of people and goods, and the potential of sustainable transport to
improve social equity, health, resilience of cities, urban-rural linkages and
productivity of rural areas.70
39. In this regard, we agree to
a. Promote access to environmentally sound, safe and affordable
transportation.71
b. Support initiatives to advance road safety.72
c. Support SIDS in developing viable regional transportation arrangements,
including improved air, land and sea transport policies.73
Sustainable Consumption and Production
40. Promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production is one of the three
overarching objectives of, and essential requirements for, sustainable
66
Inter-regional para 20, Maldives oral statement, 67
UNESCO written input 68
(b), (c), (d) composite language from MSI para 37, The Future We Want para 124, and discussions in the Open Working Group on SDGs. 69
Subheading introduced based on PrepCom statements and inter-regional negotiations 70
From The Future We Want para 132 71
The Future We Want para 132 72
The Future We Want para 132 73
MSI para 56
12
development. It is recognized that while developed countries should take the lead
in establishing sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns, SCP is
important for all countries including SIDS with their limited resource base. 74
41. In this regard, we commit to
a) Establish a SIDS specific support platform within the 10 Year Framework
of Programmes on SCP (10YFP) with emphasis on small and medium
enterprises, sustainable tourism, sustainable lifestyles and education for
sustainable development.75
b) Provide support to additional programmes under the 10YFP to advance
sustainable waste management and sustainable food systems, including
food security.76
Management of chemicals and waste, including hazardous waste
42. We recognize that the sound management of chemicals and waste is crucial for
the protection of human health and the environment. For SIDS, as for all
countries, sound waste management is also crucial for a healthy environment, and
the small land area of many SIDS poses particular challenges for safe waste
disposal.77
43. To support SIDS in their sound chemicals and waste management efforts, we
pledge to
a) Establish technical cooperation programmes to enable the creation and the
strengthening of national, regional and international mechanisms for the
management of wastes, including chemical and hazardous waste, as well
as ship-generated waste, and develop oil spill contingency plans.78
b) Support SIDS’ efforts to implement the Globally Harmonized System of
the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).79
c) Increase assistance to SIDS to take advantage of existing capacity
programs like those under the World Health Organization’s (WHO)
International Health Regulations (IHR), which call for strengthened
management of specific risks including control programs for chemical and
other toxic and environmental events.80
74
Inter-regional paras 126 and 127, combined with Jamaica and Tuvalu oral statements, which referred to SIDS limited resources 75
Inter-regional para 128 76
Inter-regional para 128 77
Derived from The Future We Want paras 213-215 and Tonga oral statement 78
Inter-regional para 69 79
Inter-regional para 73 80
Inter-regional para 72
13
d) Help build capacity for implementing “reduce, reuse, recycle and recover”
approaches, especially through the transfer of environmentally appropriate
technologies.81
e) Establish special protected zones, where appropriate, to restrict the
passage of ships carrying nuclear waste and radioactive materials, through
international cooperation.82
f) Renew international efforts to clean up oil reserves and residues and
hazardous materials and explosives left over from ships sunk during the
Second World War.83
Health and NCDs
44. We recognize that communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria,
tuberculosis, and influenza, as well as non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
continue to present serious challenges to the sustainable development efforts of
SIDS. Indeed, the burden and threat of NCDs constitute one of the major
challenges for SIDS in the twenty-first century.84
45. In this regard, we agree to work with SIDS to
a) Develop and implement comprehensive, whole-of-government multi-
sector policies and strategies for the management of NCDs, including
through education and public awareness, strengthening of health systems,
food and nutrition, trade and sports.85
b) Explore with utmost urgency establishing a ten-year target for reversing
the spread of NCDs and obesity.86
c) Develop a mechanism to enable SIDS-SIDS cooperation for NCDs, using
existing international fora to have biennial meetings of SIDS ministers of
health and appropriate non-health sectors.87
d) Call upon WHO and other stakeholders to assist in the development of
specific national programs and policies geared towards children’s health.88
Social Development
81
Derived from Japan oral statement 82
Inter-regional para 74 83
Inter-regional para 75 84
Inter-regional outcome para 43, 52 85
Inter-regional para 84, NZ written input 86
US written input 87
Inter-regional para 87 88
Inter-regional para 53
14
GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT89
46. Empowerment of women and girls has a transformative and multiplier effect on
development activities and gains. Women can be powerful agents of change.90
47. We commit to
a) Support SIDS’ efforts to integrate gender perspectives in priority areas for
sustainable development.91
b) Support SIDS efforts to strengthen women’s economic empowerment and
employment, end violence against women, increase participation and
leadership in national legislative bodies, and improve access to good
quality education and health, including maternal health services.92
c) Tackle the structural inequalities and multiple discriminations that affect
women and girls and hinder progress and slow development gains.
d) Guarantee women’s equal access to and control over productive resources
and assets, including land, as well as access to finance and technology.93
LOCAL AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURE AND SPORT
48. SIDS possess a wealth of culture, which is an enabler for sustainable
development. In particular, indigenous bio-cultural heritage recognizes the deep
connections among people, culture, knowledge and the natural environment, and
can meaningfully advance sustainable development.94
49. Measures to protect and preserve the natural, tangible and intangible cultural
heritage practices and traditional knowledge of SIDS have been inadequate, and
efforts capitalizing on SIDS strong capacity in sport can be enhanced. We will
therefore seek to95
a) Increase resources for the development and strengthening of national and
regional cultural activities including through the UN Education, Science
and Culture Organization’s (UNESCO) networks of sites, such as the
World Heritage sites, which reinforce local capacities and promote
awareness in SIDS.96
89
Sub-sub headings inserted for added clarity 90
Inter-regional para 76 91
Derived from UN Women written input 92
NZ written input 93
(c) and (d) derived from UN Women written input and Women’s Major Group oral statement 94
Inter-regional outcome para 77 95
Inter-regional outcome para 46 and composite language from PrepCom 96
Inter-regional para 77 and UNESCO written input
15
b) Encourage the development of creative industries and creative tourism that
capitalize on the rich capacity of SIDS in music, performance and art.97
c) Advance the use of sport as a vehicle to foster development, strengthen
education and promote health in SIDS.98
PROMOTING PEACEFUL SOCIETIES
50. The sustainable development of SIDS is negatively impacted by crime and
violence, including conflict, gang and youth violence, piracy and transnational
organized crime. In particular, the lack of sustainable livelihoods and
opportunities for further education, and the breaking down of community support
structures, can lead to an increasing number of young men and young women
involved in violence and crime.99
51. In this regard, we commit to
a) Combat human trafficking and transnational organized crime.
b) Support SIDS efforts to provide employment opportunities for young
people, including in creative and cultural industries.100
Biodiversity
52. SIDS possess an extraordinary level of marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and in
many cases this is fundamental to their livelihoods and identity.101
53. Noting that this valuable biodiversity is at grave risk, we pledge to
a) Provide additional support to SIDS to facilitate their ratification of the
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing under the Convention on
Biological Diversity, including by appropriate access to genetic resources
and the transfer of appropriate technologies, taking into account the rights
of SIDS over their own resources and technologies.102
b) Support SIDS in reducing the negative impacts of genetically modified
organisms on biodiversity.103
c) Establish a global network of area-based management measures to reduce
the rate of biodiversity loss in the marine environment.104
97
UNESCO written input 98
From A/RES/67/17 99
Inter-regional para 49, UNESCO written input 100
(a) and (b) from Inter-regional para 49, UNESCO written input 101
Composite language from PrepCom 102
Inter-regional para 113 103
Inter-regional para 114 104
Inter-regional para 101
16
d) Promote opportunities for SIDS exports of sustainably produced organic,
natural and biodiversity-based products.105
Forests
54. Forests are vital to SIDS livelihoods and ecosystems, and as such, we pledge to
support SIDS to106
a) Implement the non-legally binding instruments on all types of forests.
b) Advance efforts to effectively slow, halt and reverse deforestation and
forest degradation, including, inter alia, by promoting trade in legally
harvested forest products.
c) Enhance efforts to achieve reforestation, restoration and afforestation.
d) Access financing to support national sustainable forest management. 107
Partnerships
55. Some of the issues outlined above have emerged with new intensity in recent
years; others are structural challenges that have beleaguered SIDS for decades.
But all are urgent, and all require swift and pragmatic action by a range of actors
at the local, national, regional and international levels, including through
effective, inclusive and accountable partnerships owned and driven by SIDS and
responsive to their priorities.108
56. We reaffirm that empowered, genuine and durable partnerships are based upon
mutual trust, equality, respect, accountability and transparency. They are
anchored in national ownership and require political will to undertake and
implement long-term, predictable commitments. Partnerships in all their forms
should be utilized, enhanced and strengthened to ensure meaningful engagement
of various actors (including local authorities, civil society and NGOs,
foundations, private sector, international financial institutions (IFIs)) and achieve
the SIDS vision of self-reliance.109
57. SIDS have successfully mobilized partnerships and cooperation arrangements to
advance their sustainable development. These include North-South, SIDS-SIDS
partnerships, and increased South-South and triangular cooperation, as well as
cooperation programmes implemented at intra- and interregional levels.110
105
Derived from ITC written input 106
Composite language from PrepCom 107
(a), (b), (c), (d) from Inter-regional para 115 108
Composite language from PrepCom 109
Inter-regional para 57, with EU written statement 110
Inter-regional para 18, with India, China, Brazil, Singapore oral statements
17
58. Keeping in mind the theme of the Third International Conference on SIDS, we
must
a) Strengthen cooperation and ensure genuine and durable partnerships at the
national, regional and international levels to address issues related to SIDS
sustainable development needs.111
b) Develop a partnerships framework or mechanism to allow SIDS to work
collaboratively among themselves and with other stakeholders in
identifying new opportunities for growth, development and innovation.
The partnership framework should be people-centred and focus on SIDS
priority issues, in line with national policies. It should provide for
monitoring of pledges and commitments by partnerships in order to ensure
their full implementation and effectiveness. This mechanism should also
provide the necessary impetus to pursue the unfinished business of the
BPOA and MSI.112
Enabling Factors
59. We acknowledge the primary responsibility of SIDS for their own development in
the framework of the global partnership for development and underline that
mutual accountability is a key aspect. Nevertheless, SIDS need support of the
international community and in this regard we commit to help SIDS pursue their
own sustainable development.113
Financing
60. Finance from all sources, domestic and international, public and private, as well
as technology development and transfer, capacity building, and enabling
institutional and policy environments at all levels are critically important means
of advancing sustainable development everywhere, including in SIDS.114
61. SIDS will continue to require a range of financing mechanisms to implement their
sustainable development agendas, including actions called for in BPOA, MSI and
the outcome of the Samoa Conference.115
62. In this regard, we will work to
a) Facilitate the access of SIDS to concessionary sources of financing.116
111
Inter-regional para 58 112
Jamaica oral statement, Barbados oral statement 113
Inter-regional para 28, EU written input 114
Composite language from Inter-regional paras 129, 138; The Future We Want para 254; and PrepCom 115
Inter-regional para 133 116
Inter-regional para 133
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b) Develop alternative measurements for assessing the progress made in the
sustainable development of SIDS, going beyond gross domestic product
(GDP) or gross national income (GNI) and taking into account the special
circumstances, vulnerabilities and low resilience of SIDS.117
c) Further develop international access arrangements or modalities that allow
developing countries, particularly SIDS, direct access to financing for
sustainable development, including for climate and environmental
financing.118
d) Simplify application procedures to facilitate SIDS access to existing funds,
and enhance capacity-building efforts in this regard.119
e) Provide sufficient, additional and predictable financial resources to SIDS
to facilitate the implementation of climate change adaptation and
mitigation projects.120
f) Prioritize the full operationalization and capitalization of the Green
Climate Fund.121
Trade
63. Given the vulnerability of SIDS, including their small size, limited negotiating
capacity and remoteness from markets, efforts are needed to support their further
integration in world markets. With this in mind, we commit to122
a. Encourage the recognition of the special circumstances of SIDS in various
trade and economic agreements and the extension of trade preferences to
SIDS as they address global challenges on their paths towards economic
growth and development.123
b. Support technical assistance through Aid for Trade and other programmes
to strengthen SIDS capacity to effectively participate in the multilateral
trading system, including understanding trade rules and disciplines,
negotiating and implementing trade agreements, and formulating and
administering coherent trade policies.124
c. Support SIDS in assessing the implications of and mitigating the impact of
non-tariff barriers for their market access opportunities.125
d. Develop and strengthen partnerships, such as those undertaken by the UN
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in collaboration with
the International Trade Centre (ITC) and other organizations, to enhance
117
Inter-regional para 41,175, composite language from PrepCom 118
Inter-regional para 132 119
Inter-regional para 26 120
Inter-regional para 26 121
Inter-regional para 63 122
Inter-regional para 166, with composite language from PrepCom 123
Inter-regional para 171 124
Inter-regional para 167 125
Inter-regional para 168
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SIDS participation in the international trade in goods and services, build
their productive capacities and address their supply-side constraints.126
Capacity Building
64. We affirm the importance of investments in education and other training
programs to develop the human capacity and human resources of SIDS in order to
build the resilience of SIDS societies and economies. Also critical is to develop
SIDS institutional capacity.127
65. In this regard, we pledge to
a) Support a coordinated and coherent UN system-wide capacity initiative
for SIDS through UN Country Teams in collaboration with regional
commissions and regional intergovernmental organizations to enhance
national capacities and institutions, building on the lessons and successes
of Capacity 2015.128
b) Enhance efforts to strengthen national institutions of SIDS.
c) Ensure that capacity building is part of all cooperation frameworks and
partnerships and integrated in the priorities and work programmes of all
UN agencies providing assistance to SIDS.
d) Encourage the use of country systems and retain knowledge in all its
forms, including traditional knowledge, within a country. 129
e) Ensure accountability and transparency in all capacity building efforts.130
f) Support a dedicated SIDS Intensive Training for Sustainable Development
Programme, located in the University Consortium of Small Island States
(UCSIS), as well as a regional Annual Training Course on the UN
Systems with emphasis on SIDS issues.131
g) Support establishment of a SIDS interregional technical cooperation
agreement, which will allow for the further strengthening of the SIDS
Technical Assistance Program (SIDS TAP), and the exchange of technical
expertise and information on sustainable development priority areas for
SIDS.132
Technology transfer
126
Inter-regional para 170 127
Inter-regional para 134, 136, 138 128
Inter-regional para 134 129
(b), (c), (d) Inter-regional para 138 130
Cook Islands oral statement 131
Inter-regional para 139 132
Inter-regional para 154
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66. Access to technology plays a crucial role in sustainable development. The transfer
of technology appropriate to SIDS is critical to complement the national efforts of
SIDS in promoting environmentally sound technology development.133
67. In this regard, we agree to
a) Support the promotion, facilitation and financing, as appropriate, and the
development, transfer and diffusion of affordable, SIDS-adapted and
environmentally sound technologies and the corresponding know-how to
the SIDS.134
b) Increase connectivity and the use of information and communication
technologies (ICTs) in SIDS, including through greater cooperation,
training, and national legislation.135
Data Collection and Management
68. A data revolution is required in SIDS to enable effective follow up and evaluation
of implementation, and to track success in attaining the internationally agreed
development goals.136
69. In this regard, we decide to
a) Strengthen data systems, including by launching new partnership
initiatives or scaling up existing initiatives.
b) Ensure continued ownership of data by SIDS governments.137
c) Establish national and regional information and communication
technology platforms and information dissemination hubs in SIDS to
facilitate information exchange and SIDS-SIDS cooperation, building on
existing information and communication platforms, as appropriate.138
d) Call on the UN Statistics Division, UNEP and other relevant UN agencies
and intergovernmental organizations to support the establishment of a
SIDS Sustainable Development Statistics and Information Programme
with emphasis on upgrading national statistical systems and
mainstreaming sustainable data collection and analysis.139
Institutional support to SIDS
133
Inter-regional paras 34, 140, composite language from PrepCom 134
Inter-regional para 140 135
Inter-regional para 56 136
Inter-regional para 143 137
(a) and (b) Inter-regional para 144 138
Inter-regional para 149 139
Inter-regional para 146
21
70. The United Nations system, international and regional financial institutions and
other multilateral development partners need to continue and strengthen support
for SIDS in their efforts to implement national sustainable development strategies
and programs, and ensure that their priorities are incorporated in the work of these
institutions.140
71. In this regard we resolve to
a) Streamline and bolster UN system support to SIDS, as called for in UN
resolution A/Res/65/2.141
b) Ensure that UN entities fully take into account SIDS issues and include
support to SIDS and development of SIDS capacities in their programmes
at different levels.142
c) Support national and regional initiatives that serve to enhance the voice
and participation of SIDS in the decision making and norm setting
processes of IFIs.143
d) Build institutional mechanisms in the three SIDS regions to facilitate inter-
and intra-regional cooperation and collaboration among SIDS.144
e) Include SIDS issues in the agenda of the high level political forum for
sustainable development (HLPF) and reformed Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) and ensure that they make appropriate linkages to
national and regional implementation mechanisms.145
f) Ensure that the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) of ECOSOC
gives due consideration to the vulnerability of SIDS particularly when
assessing their categorization as LDCs.146
g) Request UN development entities to incorporate SIDS related activities
into their relevant strategic and programmatic frameworks, including the
UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).147
Priorities for the post-2015 development agenda
72. We affirm that the post-2015 development agenda should include the priorities of
SIDS, given their unique and persistent structural vulnerabilities, the fact that they
remain a special case for sustainable development, and the need for global
cooperation and partnership to build their resilience.148
140
Inter-regional para 156 141
Barbados oral statement and from Inter-regional paras 158 and 159 142
Inter-regional paras 159 and 160 143
Inter-regional para 172 144
Barbados oral statement 145
Inter-regional para 160 146
Inter-regional para 165 147
Inter-regional para 159 148
Inter-regional para 180
22
73. We affirm that the priorities for SIDS in the design of the post-2015 development
agenda should build on the outcome of the Samoa Conference.149
74. We therefore call for a post-2015 development agenda that
a) Places people-centred sustainable development at its core and focuses on
eradicating poverty, engendering social equality, and achieving
environmental sustainability.150
b) Ensures commitment to build resilience among SIDS.151
c) Takes into consideration the need for the full implementation of the
BPOA, MSI and the outcome of the Samoa Conference.152
d) Establishes oceans as a thematic priority, including through consideration
of a stand-alone sustainable development goal on oceans and seas,
including targets on achieving a healthy marine environment, achieving
healthy fish stocks, and realizing the economic benefits of sustainable
development of marine resources.153
e) Includes climate change as a cross-cutting issue in the elaboration of
sustainable development goals, in accordance with the principle of
common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.154
f) Gives a prominent place to promoting gender equality and women’s
empowerment, including freedom from violence for women and girls, and
includes gender equality as a cross-cutting issue across all goals.155
g) Features health issues prominently and addresses the emerging health
crisis represented by non-communicable diseases.156
h) Accelerates the shift toward patterns of sustainable consumption and
production, including through the 10YFP and the SIDS-specific support
platform it contains.157
i) Recognizes that the need for food and water security as well as the
necessity of economic and social development must be balanced with the
need to conserve ecosystems and preserve biodiversity.158
j) Calls for a “New Global Partnership” which harnesses the full potential of
partnerships between governments at all levels, businesses, civil society,
and a wide range of other stakeholders, complementing the traditional
approaches to action, such as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and
foreign aid.159
149
Inter-regional para 177 150
Inter-regional para 181 151
Inter-regional para 180 152
Inter-regional para 178 153
Inter-regional para 189 154
Inter-regional para 188 155
Inter-regional paras 42 and 76 156
Inter-regional para 183 157
Inter-regional para 184 158
Inter-regional para 182 159
Composite language including from PrepCom and Inter-regional para 10
23
k) Establishes a robust global monitoring system that strengthens
accountability at all levels and ensures adequate and timely analysis of
implementation, and includes, where appropriate, clear targets and
indicators that are relevant and meaningful to SIDS.160
Monitoring and Accountability
75. The commitments and actions above must be rigorously pursued if they are to
translate into lasting sustainable development for SIDS. Results must be
monitored and assessed, and they should be specific, measurable, achievable,
relevant and time-bound. The United Nations bodies, including the General
Assembly and its subsidiary bodies, ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, and the
HLPF will be appropriate for this monitoring. Regional Commissions, as
appropriate, should provide for enhanced engagement and regional monitoring
frameworks for SIDS.161
76. In this regard, we agree to162
a) Ensure that the HLPF shall devote adequate time to the discussion of the
sustainable development challenges facing SIDS, with the aim of
enhancing engagement and implementing commitments.
b) Invite the Secretary-General to provide regular reporting, through the
annual mechanisms of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the HLPF on
progress on SIDS-related commitments, partnerships and other activities.
c) Request the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) to
maintain a SIDS-focused partnerships platform as well as a registry of
voluntary commitments and projects.
160
Inter-regional para 186 161
Composite language from PrepCom 162
(a), (b), and (c) from composite language from PrepCom and discussions of HLPF and Rio+20 follow up
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