INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BPOA AND THE MAURITIUS STRATEGY FOR THE FURTHER

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BPOA

CONSTANCE VIGILANCECOMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT

4 APRIL 2012

Themes – (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable

development and poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable

development.

The focus of this presentation is the institutional framework for sustainable development in SIDS

Rio +20

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE AND STATUS OF

MAURITIUS STRATEGY EVOLUTION OF SIDS PARTICIPATION IN

INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

THE NEED FOR A NEW INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES OF THE

PROPOSED REGIONAL MECHANISM MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE INSTITUTIONS ATTHE INTERNATIONAL REGION

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Outlines a proposal for an institutional framework at the global and regional level to support SIDS

The political and policy context for the proposal Highlights the reasons for a technical regional

mechanism in each SIDS region Proposes a structure that represents the

consensus reached by SIDS officials attending the Commonwealth course on the International Architecture for Environment and sustainable development (Pacific – 8; Caribbean-11; AIMS-29; ComSec -4)

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

A key provision of Chapter 17(G) in Agenda 21 (The sustainable development of small island developing states) called for the strengthening of inter-island regional and interregional cooperation and information exchange, including periodic regional and global meetings

This led to the first global conference on the sustainable development of SIDS in 1994 in Barbados and the BPOA outlined 15 programme areas as a framework for

implementing actions to facilitate the sustainable development of SIDS

underscored the vulnerabilities of SIDS outlined the responsibilities of SIDS for their sustainable

development and the assistance needed from the international community

The 2005 Mauritius strategy strengthened the social and economic dimensions of the BPOA – trade, smooth transition from LDC status

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXTPROGRAMME AREAS: BPOA PROGRAMME AREAS: MS/BPOA

I CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEALEVEL RISE I CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEALEVEL RISE II NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS II NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS III MANAGEMENT OF WASTES III MANAGEMENT OF WASTES IV COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES IV COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES V FRESHWATER RESOURCES V FRESHWATER RESOURCES VI LAND RESOURCES VI LAND RESOURCES VII ENERGY RESOURCES VII ENERGY RESOURCES VIII TOURISM RESOURCES VIII TOURISM RESOURCES IX BIODIVERSITY RESOURCES IX BIODIVERSITY RESOURCES X NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY X TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION XI REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION XI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY XII TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION XII GRADUATION FROM LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRY STATUS XIII SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY XIII TRADE: GLOBILISATION AND TRADE LIBERALIZATION XIV HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT XIV SUSTAINABLE CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT XV IMPLEMENTATION , MONITORING AND REVIEW XV SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION XVI NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS

XVII HEALTH

XVIII KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

XIX CULTURE

XX IMPLEMENTATION

Triangular approach to implementation at the national, regional and international levels

International levels – SIDS Unit, UNDESA , 1995 – main institutional output of the 1994 UN conference on the sustainable development of SIDS

Regional levels – Atlantic Indian Ocean Mediterranean South China

Seas (AIMS) region : the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is the de facto regional implementation entity – currently implementing an EU funded SIDS project

Pacific region: the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is the de facto regional implementation entity – a number of the SPREP’s programme areas fall within the BPOA and MSI

STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF BPOA AND MSI

Caribbean region 1995 Joint coordinating mechanism of CARICOM ,

UNECLAC and Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee

2006 Regional Coordinating Mechanism for the MSI Regional level implementation need strengthening -

Jan 2011 UN resolution 65/156 which highlights the need for inter alia: timely action for the effective implementation of the

MSI Cooperation among SIDS The need to increase the level of resources

STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF BPOA AND MSI

Four phases: Obscurity – prior to 1992 , little knowledge of the

sustainable development priorities of SIDS Recognition and acceptance – Chapter 17(G) of Agenda

21, 1994 Barbados conference , the BPOA, MSI, the sustainable development priorities of SIDS are recognised and international agreement reached

Consolidation phase - requires an institutional structure, which caters to the needs and

sustainable development priorities of SIDS, concrete actions at the national and regional levels, adequate and predicable financial support, sound scientific research capacity development and technology transfer

Designation - SIDS as a special category,

Evolution of SIDS participation in international environmental and sustainable development

“ [...] any framework which evolves under the theme “Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development” must be designed in a manner so as to provide a clear institutional mechanism, to address, in a concrete and focused manner, the sustainable development of the most vulnerable countries (i.e. SIDS and LDCs), at the global and regional levels. Such a mechanism provides, inter alia, a context for enhanced UN coherence; the facilitation of adequate and predictable “Support” financial resources to facilitate transition to sustainable green economies, given the financial gap which exists on most of these countries as well as commitment to capacity development and technology transfer, underpinned by sound science” [Emphasis added]

Thirty Seventh Meeting Committee of Trade and Development of the Caribbean Community (COTED), September 2011

Rio 2012: An Opportunity Time for Reviewing the Institutional Framework

for the Sustainable Development of SIDS

Using the decision of COTED as the context, a simulation exercise of Rio 2012 was undertaking independently of each other in the three SIDS regions.

a.AIMS Region, November 2011b.Pacific Region, December 2011c. Caribbean Region, January 2012

What is being presented is an accurate indication of the results of that simulation, to address what SIDS Nationals themselves perceive to be the problem and the solution to that problem,

COTED DECESION: PROVIDING THE CONTEXT

1. Enhancing regional Implementation in each of the SIDS regions as a basis for strengthening Inter-SIDS Collaboration

2. Enhancing Intra-Regional SIDS Collaboration Between the SIDS Regions: AIMS, Caribbean and Pacific

Both of these areas have been identified as weaknesses in the Implementation of the BPOA and the MS/BPOA

3. The role of AOSIS as the voice of SIDS and enhancing its effectiveness by strengthening technical input from the SIDS Regions

Currently technical inputs from the SIDS regions shaping AOSIS negotiating positions is non-existent. Absence of an effective institutional mechanism at the Regional level. Exception is probably the Pacific.

EMPHASIS OF THE PROPOSAL

The global mechanism needs to be supported by three autonomous inter-governmental, regional, technical arms in each of the three SIDS regions

Implementation of the regional/intra-regional dimensions of the BPOA and MSI has been weak i.e. Small Island Developing States Technical Assistance Programme (SIDS/TAP)

The lack of a strong regional technical mechanism to implement the BPOA and MSI – called for at the Oct 2003 Caribbean Prepcom , Feb 2005 16th Communique of CARICOM Heads of Government

A more structured and systematic technical and legal analyses from the three SIDS regions needed to strengthen and expand the SIDS negotiating mechanism – AOSIS

SIDS interest with respect to resource mobilisation, modalities for the identification and access to environmentally sound technologies

THE NEED FOR AN ENHANCED INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

OVERALL AIMS: Provide a inter-governmental structure for the

implementation of the BPOA and MSI Provide a platform for inter- and intra- regional

collaboration between SIDS in the various SIDS region Implement the regional dimension of the BPOA and MSI

[Small Island Developing States Technical Assistance Programme (SIDS/TAP)

Facilitate interaction, coordination and complementarity in the BPOA and MSI at the national and regional levels

Enhance cooperation, coherence and coordination at the international levels including through liaising with the UN Inter-agency consultative group (UN IACG)

AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED REGIONAL MECHANISM

OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE Technical advisory services: facilitate implementation,

policy studies, project formulation, project proposals Inter and Intra-regional collaboration and coordination:

facilitate technical collaboration, regional cooperation in training, research and policy formulation, development of partnerships

Formulating common positions and bridging the gap between regional and international levels: support AOSIS, facilitating SIDS inputs, bridging the gap with national and regional needs and at the international level

Public awareness and education Resource mobilisation Monitoring and evaluation

AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED REGIONAL MECHANISM

An executive body – to provide overall policy guidance. Comprises the executive arm of government - Ministers with responsibility for economic, social and environmental sectors

A high level advisory group – provide advisory services to the executive body, bridging the gap between the executive commission and the secretariat. Comprises key stakeholders including academia, civil society and the private sector

The Secretariat – the focal point within the SIDS regions for the implementation of the BPOA and MSI, facilitate achieving the various objectives. Comprise a multinational staff employed from the respective SIDS regions

MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE

Ad hoc technical and scientific working groups: provide scientific and technical guidance to the Secretariat to ensure greater synergies between the three pillars of sustainable development. Comprise major groups

Regional organisations: involved in programme development for the Secretariat, facilitate complementarities

National coordinator/national mechanism: Each SIDS country would be required to establish a mechanism, serve as the national focal point for interface across the regions as well as with various agencies in the country

MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE

The form of the regional mechanism which functions autonomously: AIMS: nesting the mechanism within the IOC or one of

the universities in the regions e.g. the university of Seychelles

Pacific : SPREP considered the most appropriate institution

Caribbean : CARICOM and/or the UWI Institute for Sustainable development

Financing On a cost sharing basis Host institution providing physical space Operational costs funded by the UN as part of the

funding for the SIDS Secretariat/whatever is agreed Establishing a financing mechanism Donors

MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE

Establishment of a SIDS Commission in the General Secretariat of the UN

Creation of a SIDS sustainability secretariat Strengthening of the IACG Strengthening SIDS international negotiating

mechanism –AOSIS Establishment of a SIDS/small states trust fund

to facilitate implementing of the BPOA and MSI

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

AOSIS In existence for 20 years but organisational

structure remains weak A loosely connected coalition without any formal

structure AOSIS proposals

Establishment of a AOSIS Secretariat to support the operations of AOSIS

Formulation of operational guidelines to facilitate inter-alia day to day operations and structured inputs

Establishment of formal structured linkages between the proposed technical secretariats and AOSIS

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

UNGA resolution 65/156 highlighted the deficiencies of the implementation of the BPOA and MSI and the need for greater linkages between AOSIS and the SIDS regions

This proposed framework is the first attempt to design a regional institutional framework for the BPOA and MSI

The institutional framework presented was formulated following consultations with officials from all three SIDS regions

It forms the basis for SIDS negotiations leading to Rio 2012

If implemented, the institutional framework would significantly enhance the implementation of the BPOA and MSI

Conclusion

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