pre-conference events

Preconference Events in Preparation for the Third International Conference on the

Small Island Developing StatesApia, Samoa - 2014

Organized by the UN Office for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS

United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)

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4 Preface

8 Expert Group Meeting on the Significance of Marine Science and Technology for Small Island Developing States and the Importance of Transfer of Marine Technology to SIDS to Support Sustainable Development

28 Featured Event on Small Island Developing States at the Fourth Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction

42 Addressing Risk, Harnessing Opportunity: Building Disaster Resilience in SIDS

48 Private Sector Partnerships in Small Island Developing States

Table of Contents

4 | Preface

Preface

The year 2014 will prove to be a pivotal one for Small Island Developing States. This September, the international community will gather in Apia, Samoa, to seek a renewed political commitment in support of the challenges that SIDS face in their efforts towards achieving their sustainable development aspirations. Furthermore, the United Nations General Assembly also designated 2014 as the International Year of SIDS, the first time a group of countries has been accorded such recognition. These milestone events send a clear and unambiguous message on the importance of ensuring that the sustainable development objectives of SIDS remain high on the global agenda.

Together with Member States and other partners, both within the UN system and beyond, my Office has organised a number of preconference events to maintain a high level of global awareness on pertinent issues for SIDS. These events were aimed to focus attention on the pursuit of their sustainable development objectives and to contribute substantively to the discussions during the preparatory processes in the lead-up to the conference. This publication is a compilation of the outcomes of three of these preconference events.

Recognizing that issues concerning the oceans, its health and resources are key to the sustainable development of SIDS, UN-OHRLLS co-organised with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) from 14 – 17 May 2013, an Experts Group Meeting (EGM) to discuss issues surrounding the significance of marine science and technology for SIDS and the importance of transfer of marine technology to SIDS to support sustainable development. The event brought together experts from the three SIDS regions and the UN system including the Office of Legal Affairs’ Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS). The EGM made 20 concrete recommendations.

Eight of the 10 countries that would lose the largest proportion of the value of their produced capital stock in a one-in-250 year earthquake are SIDS. In the case of a one-in-250 year cyclone, they comprise 6 of the 10 countries most at risk. Against this backdrop, UN-OHRLLS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) jointly organized a featured event during the Fourth Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction held from 19-23 May, 2013, in Geneva, which highlighted the vulnerability and exposure of SIDS to hazards leading to escalating losses and the corresponding impact on their development.

Gyan Chandra Acharya

Under Secretary-General and High Representative for the UN-OHRLLS

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The Rio+20 conference, which decided to convene the Third International Conference on SIDS, also called for a ‘broad alliance’ in the ongoing effort to realise an integrated approach to sustainable development. The private sector is a key member of this broad alliance. Their effective engagement, including in the SIDS sustainable development agenda, remains essential. In recognition of this, UN-OHRLLS, jointly with the Government of Barbados and the Caribbean Development Bank, organised a side-event on 27 August, 2013 , during the inter-regional preparatory meeting for the 2014 SIDS Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados. The event entitled:“Fostering Private Sector Partnerships In SIDS”; launched the process for the convening of a Private Sector Partnership Forum which will take place at the 2014 SIDS Conference.

In addition to the issues covered by the aforementioned events, the need to seek a renewed political commitment to address the ‘special case’ and vulnerabilities of SIDS remain high. The way forward for the sustainable development of SIDS requires that coordinated, holistic and integrated action be undertaken at all levels, including through the strengthening of durable partnerships between SIDS and the international community with the aim of building the resilience of SIDS in overcoming their unique and particular vulnerabilities and in respecting their respective national priorities and needs.

My Office will continue to work, pursuant to its mandate, in close collaboration with SIDS and their development partners, to sensitise all stakeholders and advocate in favour of SIDS in the global discourse to ensure that the sustainable development aspirations of SIDS continues to receive the necessary support. Such support, including international support in particular, is a prerequisite if SIDS are to effectively implement the Barbados Programme of Action, its Mauritius Strategy for implementation, and indeed the forthcoming outcome of this year’s conference in Samoa.

While the outcomes and recommendations of the events in this publication were made available to support and inform the regional and inter-regional preparatory meetings that were convened in 2013, it is my pleasure to make this publication available ahead of the first Preparatory Committee Meeting for the Third International Conference on SIDS.

Gyan Chandra Acharya

United Nations Under Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)

Expert Group Meeting on the Significance of Marine Science and Technology for Small Island Developing States and the Importance of Transfer of Marine Technology to SIDS to Support Sustainable Development

New York14-17 May, 2013

I. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................11

II. Background ...............................................................................................................................................11

III. Summary of Meeting ............................................................................................................................12

A. Opening..................................................................................................................................................12

B. Session 1: Why Marine Science and Technology is Vital for SIDS in their Path toward Sustainable Development ........................................................................14

C. Session II: SIDS National & Regional Experiences on Implementation of Marine Science Capacity Building and Existing Technology Transfer Mechanisms ....................15

D. Session III: SIDS Opportunities for New Approaches to Capacity Development and Transfer of Marine Technology ..................................................................17

E. Session IV: Marine Scientific and Technological Centres/Arrangements .......................18

F. Session V: Review of Discussions ...................................................................................................19

G. Session VI: The Link Between Capacity Development and Transfer of Technology: A SIDS Perspective .................................................................................................19

IV. Way Forward .............................................................................................................................................22

V. Briefing with AOSIS and Member States ....................................................................................22

Annex I Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................23

Annex II List of Experts ......................................................................................................................................................26

10 | Expert Group Meeting: Marine Science and Technology to Support Sustainable Development in SIDS

Experts attending the Expert Group Meeting, New York, May 2013

Experts and delegates attending the Expert Group Meeting, New York, May 2013


I. Introduction

1 The United Nations Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), pursuant to its advocacy mandate in favour of SIDS and in partnership with

UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and UN Office of the Legal Affairs’ Division for Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea (DOALOS), jointly convened a four day Expert Group Meeting (EGM) in New York on the Significance of Marine Science and Technology for SIDS the Importance of Transfer of Marine technology Transfer to SIDS to support Sustainable Development on 14-17 May, 2013. Experts on the field of oceans and marine sciences, including practitioners and academics, representing all three SIDS regions of the Atlantic-Indian Ocean-South China Seas (AIMS), the Caribbean, and the Pacific, attended the EGM with the support of OHRLLS and IOC. The EGM produced a number of specific recommendations aimed at various stakeholders at the national, regional and global levels.

2 The international community, in ‘The Future We Want’ outcome of Rio+20 conference, decided to convene the Third International Conference on SIDS in 2014. By UN General Assembly resolution 67/207, the General Assembly welcomed

the offer by the Independent State of Samoa to host the conference. The same resolution also set out the regional preparatory process leading towards the Samoa 2014 Conference. Paragraph 11 of 67/207 called for OHRLLS and the UN system to support the SIDS preparatory process. OHRLLS and its partners, IOC and DOALOS, therefore, see the convening of the EGM and the recommendations flowing from the meeting as a tangible expression of support towards preparations for Samoa 2014.

II. Background

3 The Oceans, for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), is an issue that clearly cuts across the economic, social and environmental dimensions of their sustainable development objectives. This fact is acknowledged by the international

community. In 1992 the ‘special case’ for SIDS was first recognized under the oceans related Chapter (Chapter 17.G) in UNCED’s Agenda 21 in 1992, highlighting the unique relationship that SIDS have with the ocean. Further, SIDS continue to be active participants on matters concerning ocean governance at the global, regional and national levels. The commitment to matters concerning oceans is underscored by the fact that all SIDS who are able to do so have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

4 SIDS have demonstrated leadership in managing the living marine resources that occur under their respective jurisdictions, as evidenced by a number of regional cooperation arrangements and agreements to manage these resources, and are again

leading the way on matters concerning the exploration and potential exploitation of deep sea minerals. The need to build capacities and scientific know-how remains a crucial component to support SIDS’ sustainable development aspirations and the efforts in tackling the multifaceted adaptation and mitigation requirements of climate change. Many SIDS, being in other words, “large ocean states,” are arguably in a prime position to utilize marine science research and technology that will contribute significantly in making inroads towards achieving sustainable development. They have the potential to access modern technologies, under mutually agreed terms, which industrialized countries have developed. The question is whether the political will, the legal infrastructure and international partnerships exists to better utilize these technologies in support of SIDS sustainable development.

5 UNCLOS recognizes that for developing countries like SIDS, marine science and technology and capacity building go ‘hand in hand’. Part XIII and XIV of UNCLOS provides and highlights the importance of the establishment of marine scientific centres

and transfer of technology, particularly in and to developing countries.

6 The Intergovernmental Oceanography Commission (IOC) has already undertaken a number of initiatives and have interacted with a number of SIDS on oceans issues including through creating the conditions for good science and building networks

of scientific logistic facilities at the global and regional and sub-regional levels. The IOC has also developed guidelines for the transfer of marine technology.


7 Internationally agreed sustainable development frameworks such as 1994s Barbados Program of Action (BPOA) for the sustainable development of SIDS emphasized the crucial role that science and technology plays in SIDS’ efforts to achieve

sustainable development. With regard to marine scientific research and technology transfer, several United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions on the agenda item ‘Oceans and Law of the Sea’ have called for action on the matter of technology transfer. The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) also emphasised “. . . transfer of environmentally sound technologies and assistance for capacity building from the international community . . .” as a prerequisite for SIDS to achieve their sustainable development aspirations.

8 Rio+20 continued to underscore the need for technology transfer as an issue of crucial importance to sustainable development. The most recent UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/67/78 on Oceans and the Law of the Sea reiterated

the essential need for cooperation, including through capacity-building and transfer of marine technology, to ensure that all States, especially developing countries, LDCs and SIDS, are able both to implement the Convention and to benefit from the sustainable development of the oceans and seas, as well as to participate fully in global and regional forums and processes dealing with oceans and law of the sea issues.

9 Not only has technology transfer featured throughout the text of Rio+20’s final outcome document, but SIDS leaders addressing the Plenary Session of the Conference in many cases emphasised the dire necessity of technology transfer

as a priority area to achieve sustainable development.

10 There is growing interest to explore and secure mining rights in the world’s oceans where mineral deposits occur. A number of SIDS have shown keen interest to exploit their potential mineral resources to support their economic growth. Furthermore,

commercial and mining interests have made claims in the volcanic zones within areas under the national jurisdiction of several Pacific SIDS. The ocean seabed is indeed the last frontier in the exploration of the Earth’s surface and thus SIDS, are well placed to not only benefit from these new ventures, but also balance these interests with their stewardship role of the oceans.

III. Summary of Meeting

A Opening

11 In opening the meeting, Mr. Sandagdorj Erdenebileg, Chief Policy Development, Coordination, Monitoring & Reporting Service, OHRLLS, welcomed all the participants and the experts on behalf of OHRLLS Under-Secretary-General and High

Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, Mr. Gyan Acharya. He also welcomed the partners of the EGM, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and OLA’s Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) and thanked them for their cooperation and collaboration in convening the EGM.

12 He stated that the influence that the oceans exert over SIDS is immense and that SIDS have a special relationship with Oceans. He also recalled that the international community, ever since the ‘special case’ for SIDS was first recognized under

the oceans Chapter in UNCED’s Agenda 21 back in 1992, confirming the special relationship that SIDS have with the oceans, numerous UN Global Conferences, including the Barbados First Global Conference on SIDS, the Mauritius International Meeting, the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, and last year’s Rio+20 Conference have all reaffirmed this special connection that SIDS have with oceans.

13 This, he stated, underscored the significance of enhancing marine science and technology capacities for SIDS and the importance of appropriate marine technology transfer to SIDS and it was against this backdrop that OHRLLS decided to

organize this EGM. Noting the Third International Conference on SIDS to be convened in, Apia, Samoa, on 1-4 September, 2014, and noting further that oceans issues will likely feature again at the conference, as had been the case in past conferences, he stated that the report of this EGM will contribute to the preparatory process for SIDS 2014.


14 In his opening remarks, Mr. Mitrasen Bhikajee, Deputy Executive Secretary, IOC, remarked all our planet’s oceans are interconnected – there is in fact only one ocean – known regionally by different names; anything that happens in the waters

of one coastal state impacts on neighbouring states. He also stated that pollutants are carried through ocean currents, heat is transferred from one region to another, and fish migrate. None of these, he stated, know any geographical or political barrier.

15 Underscoring that no country can pretend, alone, to protect and maintain the integrity of the oceans and hence the planet’s life support systems, Mr. Bhikajee stated that the need to promote capacity to protect and manage the ocean and coasts

should be global. He also stressed the global responsibility for all States to ensure that capacity for managing the ocean exists in all countries - because humankind’s common destiny is interconnected and depends on the integrity of the life support system of planet earth.

16 He stated that Capacity Development is at the very core of IOC’s mandate and its statutes. He underscored the need for capacity in the context of transfer of technology by stating that what technology can we transfer if a country does not

have the capacity. This reaffirmed the importance that the IOC gives to both Capacity Development and Transfer of Technology.

17 In his opening remarks Mr. Vladimir Jares, Deputy Director DOALOS/OLA, welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with OHRLLS and IOC in convening the EGM. He highlighted the importance the United Nations Convention on the Law

of the Sea (UNCLOS) which sets out the rights and duties as well as the cooperative mechanism through which the international community uses, exploits, conserves and manages the ocean spaces and its resources.

18 Mr. Jares noted that SIDS themselves have always been active participants in the development of oceans governance at the global, regional and national levels. All SIDS who are able to become parties to UNCLOS have already done so. He

highlighted DOALOS’ role as Secretariat for the convention and its work in promoting the capacities of developing countries, including SIDS. He recalled UNGA resolutions on oceans and the law of the sea which continue to highlight the importance of capacity building for developing countries, including SIDS, in the area of marine science as well.

From left to right: H.E. Ronny Jumeau Ambassador for Climate Change and SIDS Issues, Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Sandagdorj Erdenebileg; Chief, Policy Development, Coordination, Monitoring and Reporting Service, UN-OHRLLS, Mr. Vladimir Jares; Deputy Director, Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office for Legal Affairs, United Nations


B SESSION I Why Marine Science and Technology is Vital for SIDS in their Path toward Sustainable Development

19 Presentations were made during the session by Mr. Taholo Kami, of IUCN’s Oceania Office, Dr. Patrick McConney, University of West Indies, and Dr. Willy Morrell, of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

20 Mr. Kami, speaking on the Significance of marine science and technology to SIDS, stated that there was a need to shift from ‘threats to consequences’ as can be observed in the recent dialogues of the CBD and UNFCCC processes, the discussions for

Rio+20, and the conversations on food security. He advocated for a ‘shift from vulnerability to value’ arguing that the per capita lens is no longer relevant and the need to look at this shift through a climate change lens was more appropriate. Mr. Kami further stated that while tuna resources remained an important resource for SIDS there was a need for SIDS themselves to look beyond tuna to healthy habitats and that there may be a need in prioritising the management of natural resources, including the vast marine resources, on par with the priorities accorded to the education and health sectors. He underscored the role that enhancement of SIDS marine science capacity could play in the shift from vulnerability to value underlining the need to enhance marine science and policy interface.

21 Dr. McConney, addressing the issue of regional/national interplay of institutional arrangements for ocean science and capacity building for SIDS sustainable development, highlighted the Sustainable development in SIDS and anywhere else

is based in large part on good policy and governance. He stated that policy cycles operate at multiple levels (e.g. global, regional, national) and thereby connect diverse stakeholders at each level (e.g. resource users, universities, government agencies). He expressed the view that for ocean science to make the most positive impact upon sustainable development the policy cycles, stakeholders and linking arrangements must be understood and managed. Dr. McConney also stated that the interrelated nature of oceans and marine resources needed an ecosystem based management and need for inter-sectoral integration should be recognised nationally and regionally. He also stressed the need for ocean science to be linked to coastal science. Emphasising the importance of science-policy interface, Dr. McConney posed a series of questions that could guide discussions towards an outcome at Samoa 2014 that looks at, how do policy processes value marine science at national, regional levels. Do the producers and the users of marine science communicate effectively? What are the entry points for improving the use of marine science in policy? What are the roles of universities?

From left to right: Dr. Thomas Goreau, Global Coral Reef Alliance, Mr. Taholo Kami, Regional Director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Oceania Regional Office (IUCN), Dr Achutan Venugopalan William Ittekot, University of Bremen, Dr. Russell Howorth (former Director) Applied Geoscience and Technology Division, South Pacific Community (SPC), Mr. Michael Lodge, International Seabed Authority, Dr. Patrick McConney, University of the West Indies, Mr. Michele Ameri, UN Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea


22 Dr. Morrell, speaking on the regional SIDS oceans policy as it relates to marine science and technology, recalled the high importance that Pacific SIDS place on oceans and its resources. He underscored the value of marine resources to Pacific SIDS

in terms of economic value and support for livelihood by stating that license fees from Distant Water Fishing Nations provides 3 to 40% of government revenue for seven Pacific SIDS and that 47% of households in Pacific SIDS communities derive their first or second income from catching and selling fish. He also highlighted that oceans and marine resources and their importance to Pacific islanders livelihoods continue to be acknowledged at the highest political level, including through the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Communiqués. He highlighted that some 10% of world’s oceans fall within the jurisdictional realm of Pacific SIDS and that many are hugely dependent on the Pacific Ocean’s services for transport and trade, fisheries, food security and tourism. Dr. Morrell also stated that a regional oceans policy had been adopted in the past but that translating this regional policy at the national levels posed a major challenge. He highlighted the aims of ‘Oceanscape’ a more encompassing approach to oceans management that involves, Integrated Ocean Management, Adaptation to Environmental and Climate Change and Liaising, Listening, Learning and Leading.

23 During the ensuing interactive discussions moderated by the Republic of Seychelles’ Ambassador for Climate Change and SIDS Issues, H.E Ronny Jumeau, experts highlighted the value that oceans and marine resources contribute to support SIDS

economies and livelihoods and the importance of SIDS-SIDS cooperation on matters of oceans in general and marine science and technology in particular. One concrete example of SIDS-SIDS cooperation on ocean affairs involved the joint submission by a number of SIDS to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. Experts highlighted that the need to create space for dialogue on varying approaches to oceans by SIDS themselves, between the emphasis that is placed by some on the large oceanic realm and that on coastlines and near-shore marine resources focused approach, should be welcomed. The need for continued augmentation by their development partners of the resources of SIDS to manage their ocean spaces was also highlighted. The sentiment was expressed that more emphasis needed to be placed on oceans and marine science and technology by SIDS and that there was a need for SIDS to focus on natural resources management. The view was expressed that SIDS Leadership may need to better communicate and articulate to donors that natural resources management are an important area in which partners and resources need to be directed towards.

C SESSION II SIDS National & Regional Experiences on Implementation of Marine Science Capacity Building and Existing Technology Transfer Mechanisms

24 Presentations were made in session by Mr. Michele Ameri and Ms. Charlotte Salpin of DOALOS, Dr. Daniel Marie of Mauritius, Dr. Russell Howorth, formerly of SPC’s SOPAC and Mr. Nanjundappa Srinivasan, of UNESCAP’s Asia Pacific Centre for Transfer

of Technology (APCTT).

25 Mr. Michele Ameri, of DOALOS, made a presentation on UNCLOS provisions in Part IV on Archipelagic States and Part VIII on the Regime of Islands. He highlighted that SIDS were very active in the development of these parts of UNCLOS, given their

relevance and importance to SIDS. Mr. Ameri provided a brief overview of some of the more salient provisions of Part IV of UNCLOS including the definition of Archipelagic States. He went through some of the provisions of Art. 47 on archipelagic baselines. On Part VIII of the UNCLOS on the Regime of Islands, Mr. Ameri stated that this idea was a novel one when it was introduced during the conferences leading up to the adoption of UNCLOS. He explained the provisions of UNCLOS stating that an island is a naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide and that with the exception of rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf of an island are determined in accordance with the provisions of this Convention applicable to other land territory.

26 Ms. Charlotte Salpin, of DOALOS, made a presentation on UNCLOS provisions in Part XIII on Marine Scientific Research and Part XIV on Development and Transfer of Marine Technology. She outlined the main provisions and principles in her

overview of Parts XIII and XIV of UNCLOS, highlighting that Part XIII provides a comprehensive global regime for the promotion and conduct of MSR which balances the rights and duties of coastal States and of other States. She went through the provisions of Part XIII as they relate to General provisions. She also highlighted provision on promotion of flow of scientific data and


information and transfer of knowledge, especially to developing States as well as Strengthening of MSR capabilities of developing States. Ms. Salpin also highlighted the provisions relating to the establishment of national and regional centres and further highlighted the functions of regional marine and scientific research centres, as mentioned in Art. 276 of UNCLOS. She stated that the implementation of Part XIV has been lacking.

27 Dr. Daniel Marie, shared Mauritius’ national experience on the contribution that marine science and technology, and transfer of marine technology have made to the sustainable development aspirations of the country. He highlighted the importance

of the oceans and marine resources to the sustainable development and economic growth of Mauritius informing the meeting of a number of national programmes which saw close cooperation with partners from developed countries, including some groundbreaking work on the medicinal properties of sea sponge. He highlighted the success of these programmes as pointing the way forward for Mauritius which is based on collaboration and partnership with a wide range of stakeholders.

28 Dr. Russell Howorth, formerly of SPC’s SOPAC, made a presentation on SIDS regional capacity building marine science and technology institutions, noting that in the lead-up to Rio+20 oceans was not featured. He highlighted areas where in his

opinion, more effort should be concentrated on in the lead-up to Samoa 2014. These areas included: Doing business differently versus doing different business, capacity building versus capacity supplementation, scale versus risks, linking science and policy better, and the need for better SIDS-SIDS Cooperation. He called for enhancing regional hydrographic survey capacity, highlighting that most port charts in the Pacific SIDS had been prepared during the WWII period. Citing the growing interest of many Pacific SIDS in ocean floor mining within areas under their national jurisdictions, he informed the meeting that through support from the EU the Pacific region has completed the Regional Legislative and Regulatory Framework (RLRF) for deep sea minerals. There has been a new priority as well on building negotiation capacity for equitable interaction between the SIDS and the mining industry. He highlighted the importance of the migratory fish stocks to the Pacific SIDS region but he also emphasized the need for closer attention to the coastal fisheries programme which is the main source of food and livelihood for many islanders. He underscored the enhancement of coastal fisheries science to contribute in the management of coastal marine resources and the importance of a community approach.

29 Mr. Nanjundappa Srinivasan, of UNESCAP, made a presentation on the work of the Asia Pacific Centre for Transfer of technology (APCTT) in ESCAP relating to capacity building and technology transfer practices. He informed that the centre

was established to develop and manage national innovative systems, develop, transfer adapt and apply technology; improve the terms of transfer of technology. He underscored the importance of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as a key driver in economic performance. He expressed the view that there needed to be national innovation systems (NIS) for sustainable development. He also promoted the need for capacity building in technology transfer and collaboration. Furthermore, he called for a strengthening of technology intelligence, meaning that SIDS should be kept abreast of global technology development and use such technologies strategically.

30 In the ensuing interactive exchange moderated by Ambassador Jumeau, the view was expressed that most countries in the Pacific do not have science policies in place and that this is an area which is very much lacking and needs attention.

The meeting discussed that SIDS need the capacity to absorb technologies. Simultaneously the question of whether SIDS are themselves ready to absorb technology they receive needs to be addressed as well, which highlighted the importance of developing capacity. The issue of the human resource constraints that many SIDS face was also raised. Discussions also centred around issues on the need for support to SIDS to fulfil their obligations under UNCLOS, including the issue of depositing maritime coordinates with the UN Secretary-General. The need to update the hydrographic charts of ports in many SIDS was also identified as an area where appropriate high imaging data including LiDAR imagery, could be utilized. The view was expressed that poor charts could hamper the docking of big ocean going vessels, including cruise liners, which in turn could harm the tourism industry that many SIDS depend on to augment their foreign income earnings. Experts recalled that it was because of SIDS actively seeking the inclusion of oceans related outcome from Rio+20 that there is a strong outcome on oceans from Rio+20. They also stated that an outcome from 2014 Samoa conference will need to be action oriented and avoid repeating and reaffirming issues that were already contained in the Barbados programme of action for SIDS and its Mauritius Strategy for Implementation. Discussions also focused on the need for targeted capacity building which experts opined was essential given the limited resources in many SIDS. The view was expressed that SIDS governments needed to become the catalyst for directing investments into the right areas including on oceans and the specific area of marine science and technology.


D SESSION III SIDS Opportunities for New Approaches to Capacity Development and Transfer of Marine Technology

31 In this session presentations were made by Professor Al Binger, of the SIDS-DOCK Secretariat, Mr. Michael Lodge, of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), and Mr. Mitrasen Bhikajee, of UNESCO’s IOC.

Prof. Al Binger, of the SIDS-DOCK Secretariat, made a presentation on the origins of SIDS-DOCK as a mechanism through which SIDS could work collectively to address the high dependency on fossil fuel. He stated that the goals of SIDS DOCK are to mobilize in excess of USD 10 Billion, by 2033, to help finance the transformation of the SIDS Energy Sector to achieve a 25 percent (2005 baseline) increase in energy efficiency, generation of a minimum of 50 percent of electric power from renewable sources, and a 25 percent decrease in conventional transportation fuel use, in order to enable climate change adaptation in SIDS. He promoted the use of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) highlighting the potential that this technology would bring given SIDS vast ocean resources. Prof. Binger expressed the view that the possibility of using ocean energy offers one of the most promising opportunities for sustainable development in island states and that various forms of ocean energy, including both kinetic energy (tidal, wave and current) and thermal energy represent the largest source of available renewable energy for SIDS, worldwide. He also stated that SIDS must not abandon the understanding that to achieve sustainable development they would have to pursue development of a “Blue Economy.” He recalled that the protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of SIDS living resources is the focus of Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, the same Chapter that recognized SIDS as a special case for their environment and development.

32 Mr. Michael Lodge, of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), made a presentation on the mandate of the ISA as it relates to building the capacities of SIDS. He noted that while all SIDS listed in OHRLLS’ list are members of the ISA only some 40%

of SIDS have attended ISA meetings in the past 5 years. He highlighted the need for SIDS to be more involved in ISA matters as the issues considered by the ISA are of high importance and relevance to SIDS. He informed that three SIDS are sponsoring States for entities who are interested in tenements for seabed exploration and mining at the seabed area beyond national jurisdiction. Mr. Lodge also highlighted the training opportunities that exist for SIDS, including mandatory contractor training. He also highlighted the ISA Endowment Fund for Marine Scientific Research which a number of SIDS nationals have already benefitted from. Furthermore he called on SID to ratify Part XI of UNCLOS and take advantage of opportunities for joint research and training and participate in ISA deliberations to identify research priorities, identify capacity building needs and priorities, and promote SIDS interests.

33 Mr. Mitrasen Bhikajee, of UNESCO’s IOC, made a presentation on IOC’s mandate on marine science capacity building with special emphasis on developing countries. He highlighted a decision from Rio+20 which emphasized the need for

cooperation in marine scientific research to implement the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, as well as for the transfer of technology, taking into account the IOC’s Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology. He also stated that IOC has been instrumental in the improvement of formal qualifications and technical capacity of staff in Member States. It has also supported Member States in ocean policy development and implementation as well as implementation of relevant conventions. Mr. Bhikajee also highlighted IOC’s strength in supporting the development of infrastructure for marine scientific research and raising awareness on the significance of marine science and capacity building.

34 In the discussions that ensued, which was moderated by Ambassador Jumeau, experts discussed the move by a number of SIDS who have been reframing their status as large ocean states thereby shifting the focus beyond vulnerability to one

of value. The fact that the inherent vulnerabilities of SIDS still remains in spite of such reframing was also underscored by the meeting. That the special case for SIDS was initially recognized in Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, the chapter on oceans, was also recalled positively by the meeting. The view was expressed that over the years a number of other priority issues have rightly been identified by SIDS and their development partners but these should not be done on the expense of oceans matters being overlooked. Another view was expressed linking OTEC technology to the possible extraction of seabed minerals. The meeting acknowledged that silos on oceans issues existed at all levels, including the national level. The need to work across all sectors on oceans issues was emphasised and the meeting recognized the merit for SIDS to adopt a holistic view on oceans, the management and the sustainable development of marine resources. The meeting acknowledged that there was a lack of ‘Ministries of Ocean Resources’ at the national level. The view was expressed that in this context the importance on the need to work on an Oceans


SDGs should be seriously pursued with the leadership role of SIDS underscored. The meeting also recognized that in many respects a number of important decisions on oceans and marine science have been adopted by UN conferences including the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development and its Johannesburg Plan of Implementation outcome. As such linkages should be made to these decisions, as appropriate in outcomes from SIDS 2014 Samoa conference. The view was expressed to enhance linkages on oceans matters between SIDS and other global processes including the World Bank’s Global Partnership on Oceans initiative. The oceans’ role in carbon sequestration was also raised as an avenue through which SIDS may want to pursue further.

E SESSION IV Marine Scientific and Technological Centres/Arrangements

35 In this session presentations were made by Mr. Bhikajee and Dr. Thomas Goreau of Global Coral Reef Alliance,

36 Mr. Bhikajee, made a presentation on IOC’s regional sub commissions stating that among IOC programmes those of greater interest to SIDS include early warning systems for tsunamis, understanding and predictive tools that address coastal areas

of local interest to SIDS, capacity-building through the development and delivery of ocean and climate curricula, and workshops to build capacity in climate change phenomena, impacts and adaptation strategies. He also informed that the Joint WMO-IOC Commission on Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) has initiated two pilot projects to coordinate the development of cost-effective global in situ wave observing technology in support of a wide range of applications, including the monitoring of extreme wave events for disaster risk reduction, wave modeling, and the calibration and validation of satellite wave measurements.

37 Mr. Bhikajee also informed that IOC operates largely through regional programmes and structures with the IOC Sub-commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE) covering the whole area of the Caribbean. The IOCARIBE

Secretariat operates from the UNESCO Field Office in Kingston, Jamaica and the office of Cartagena in Colombia; the IOC Sub-commission for Africa and Adjacent Island States covers the African continent and the following SIDS: Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius and Seychelles. He informed that since last year, all IOC activities in Africa are coordinated from the IOC Sub-Commission Office at the UN Office in Nairobi.

38 He highlighted the Pacific Islands Global Ocean Observing System (PI-GOOS), set up in 1998 that was set to assist sustainable development in Pacific Island nations by facilitating the establishment and implementation of coastal and open ocean

observing programs, and helping to improve uptake and use of the data, information and products being generated. He also informed that three of the four tsunami warning systems coordinated by IOC – the Pacific (PTWS), the Indian Ocean (IOTWS) and the Caribbean (CARIBE-EWS) are particularly relevant to SIDS. IOC has secretariats of the regional warning systems in Perth and Apia and tsunami information centers in Honolulu and Jakarta, with an additional one being established in Barbados.

39 Dr. Thomas Goreau of Global Coral Reef Alliance gave a presentation, from an NGO perspective, on the work his organization has been doing on climate change adaptation, coastal and fisheries restoration and shore protection. He highlighted the

work he has been carrying out on electrical stimulation of corals which he described as being successful. He expressed the view that there are SIDS developed technology already in existence today, which included his coral electrical stimulation procedures, that needed to be replicated and up-scaled to as many SIDS as possible. He cites the relative inexpensiveness of these technologies and their appropriateness for SIDS as advantages. He also showed data he has collected in a number of SIDS in the AIMS, Caribbean and Pacific regions over the years that indicated that his process of coral electrical stimulation had a high success rate.

40 In the ensuing discussions moderated by Ambassador Jumeau, the view was expressed that high temperatures are more destructive for coral reefs than ocean acidification and that there’s a greater need to focus on rising temperatures. Another

view espoused during the discussions cautioned against agenda setting by funding agencies on matters pertaining to environment protection in general. Questions were raised on the effectiveness of the electrical stimulation of corals to restore their properties and contribute to shore protection. Examples were cited on where this method was apparently very successful. The suggestion was made for a ‘one-stop-shop’ for marine technology transfer where SIDS could access such information. SIDSnet was referred to as a tool that could be used to facilitate such an exchange of information, although there were questions on whether SIDSnet could successfully carry out such a role.


F SESSION V Review of Discussions

41 Following the end of presentations over two days the meeting reviewed the discussions over the period and provided thoughts on the way forward highlighting a number of issues that could be taken up in the preparations for SIDS 2014

Samoa Conference. During the discussions the view was expressed that SIDS have, for the most part, stuck with proven scientific methods particularly as it related to renewable energy like solar and wind and the question was raised as to whether other technologies involving ocean resources such as wave energy needed to be considered more seriously. In this regard the suggestion was made that SIDS regional institutions may need to be more innovative. The discussions acknowledged that the idea of promoting value in addition to vulnerability for SIDS had merits which contributed towards differentiating SIDS from other groups of vulnerable countries. In this regard it was important for SIDS and all stakeholders to ensure that the post 2015 development agenda contains ocean related targets and maximise oceans as an issue of great importance to SIDS and the world. The view was also expressed that marine science does not have to be high-tech but it is important to be able to tailor science to local communities. The discussions also highlighted the need to remove silos on matters relating to oceans and emphasised the need to promote oceans institutions for SIDS, including the implementation of Article 276 of UNCLOS to establish or designate SIDS regional marine science research and technology centres in the SIDS regions. It was underscored that policy for integrated innovation has to come from governments themselves but simultaneously the regional approach that SIDS regions have been effectively pursuing remained important and the need for linkages and partnerships that promote science, technology and innovation development should be enhanced and strengthened. The discussions underscored the need for each SIDS to have an oceans policy. At the same time it was acknowledged that appropriate support to SIDS to develop these policies should also be in place. The need for targeted capacity building was also reiterated. The importance for SIDS to have the capacity to turn information into some form of knowledge management like Geospatial Information System (GIS) database was also underscored during the discussions. Recognizing the connection between SIDS and the marine resources as the main drivers to build SIDS economies and achieve their sustainable development objectives, the view was expressed that emphasis needed to be placed on promotion of the Blue Economy. The view was expressed that for SIDS the issue of poverty reduction cannot be separated from the discussions on oceans and climate change. The need to enhance partnerships policies in SIDS was also discussed and the importance of targeted messaging was raised in this connection. The advantages of initiatives such as the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) which involves partnering with large non-SIDS countries that have islands and can share experiences and best practices as well as support SIDS pursuit of sustainable development was also highlighted during the discussions

G SESSION VI The Link Between Capacity Development and Transfer of Technology: A SIDS Perspective

42 In this session presentations were made by Mr. Osamu Miyaki, of IOC, Mr. Hans Thulstrup, of UNESCO, Dr. Venu Ittekot, of Bremen University, Ms. Maxine Monsanto of Belize, M. Shiham Adam of Maldives and Mr. Rajendra Prassad of Fiji.

43 Mr. Osamu Miyaki, of IOC, gave a presentation on strengthening and implementation of Marine Technology Transfer from a SIDS perspective. He informed the meeting on the background of the development of IOC’s Guidelines on Transfer of

Marine Technology (TMT) stating that the guidelines were developed by the Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC/ABE-LOS) whose functions was to provide advice on the IOC’s role in relation to UNCLOS. Mr. Miyaki informed that the IOC Guidelines on TMT was adopted by the IOC Assembly in 2003 and published in 2005. He highlighted the results of a 2008 questionnaire that was completed by 50% of IOC member states which showed that suppliers of TMT preferred working at bilateral and regional levels, and partnerships is preferred over joint-ventures or other forms of cooperation. Mr. Miyaki stated that SIDS could enhance International cooperation for TMT though the IOC relevant activities, in particular through its capacity building initiatives. The possibility of partnership between suppliers and recipients of marine technology in SIDS should be further explored at the bilateral and regional level, or sub-regional and global levels. Any financial issues should be solved by both suppliers and recipients for TMT. He also stated that the TMT Guidelines does not included technology for deep sea mining.


44 Mr. Hans Thulstrup, of UNESCO, made a presentation on engaging local communities and knowledge in ocean monitoring and sustainable use, highlighting two programmes that have been implemented in SIDS, Sandwatch – a hands-on, education

based programme through which schools, communities and research organizations engage actively to identify and address coastal management issues; and Climate Frontlines – a UN interagency partnership supporting community-based research on climate-related issues. He stated that SIDS were ‘leading the way’ in the implementation of Sandwatch which is based on observation and recording. A manual assists in guiding communities in the step-by-step implementation of sandwatch. He underscored networking across various stakeholders as an essential part of Sandwatch. Mr. Thulstrup also spoke on ‘Frontlines’ a programme that involves partnership between three UN entities which are: CBD Secretariat, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Frontlines promote the inclusion of local & indigenous knowledge perspectives in global climate change assessments, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s 5th Assessment Report. Mr. Thurstrup recalls that indigenous observations and interpretations of meteorological phenomena have guided seasonal and inter-annual activities of local communities for millennia and it was essential that traditional knowledge inform environmental policy decisions, both in climate change and biodiversity. He stated oceans policy should be informed by the best available knowledge, which includes SIDS indigenous and traditional knowledge as well.

45 Dr. Venu Ittekot, of Bremen University, made a presentation on the findings of an IOC capacity needs assessment survey that was carried out on developing countries IOC members which included responses from eight SIDS from all three SIDS regions.

He gave some highlights from the questionnaire that showed a perceived Urgency of Capacity Development (CD) Actions for IOC Programs, in the need for Research & Education, Training Programs, Ocean Experts, Marine Policy, Regional, international engagement (Conventions, Treaties and Processes). The survey found that ocean research or related services were still weak, that there was an overdependence on project-oriented, short-term international support. It also found that higher education was heavily dependent on the type & expertise of guest researchers and that technical education in marine-related fields absent/inadequate and infrastructure remained weak, inadequate or where available needed upgrade.

46 Dr. Ittekot also stated that the survey found that there was a lack of a critical mass of ocean experts (both scientific and technical) and that there were no mechanisms or incentives to retain built capacity and available experts. Further, he

informed that competition from non-marine sectors was severe and that training programs were mostly one-off which raised doubts on the long term benefits of such arrangements. The survey also found that Ocean issues were generally sidelined by the relevant authorities and often there were no national coordinating agency for oceans matters. Furthermore, national marine policy/marine development plan were rare or absent and there was a general lack of or inadequate resource allocation for marine issues.

47 Dr. Ittekot noted that SIDS were mostly new IOC Member States and the need to raise awareness of the full range of IOC Programs was slowly picking up. Many SIDS faced unique challenges and needs due to vastness of the ocean space around

them and the remoteness of individual islands. He listed a number of constraints facing SIDS which included limited daily access to scientific support systems, the lack of vessels which requires special arrangements to access outer islands, communication problems, and potential exacerbation of “non-climate” risks from new and emerging initiatives for resource exploration/exploitation. He also expressed the view that Oceans and Seas affairs needed to be treated as an emerging theme and he highlighted the need for technical capability to make the best use of transfer of Marine Technology.

48 Dr. Ittekot also underscored the need to enhance efforts to develop of national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of Oceans and Coasts. He also stressed the need to invest in human resources and infrastructure for SIDS

and the aspiration for a more active role in the UN Regular Processes for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socio-Economic Aspects. He recognized that there were new Opportunities to align Capacity Development interventions and Marine Technology Transfer with National Priorities and the potential to shift from Capacity Development “Assistance” to Capacity Development “Partnerships” including interventions in North-South, South-South Cooperation. He also advocated for strengthening of regional approaches to strengthening capacities of SIDS and facilitate transfer of appropriate technology to SIDS.

49 Ms. Maxine Monsanto of Belize gave a presentation on her country’s Assessment of Marine Environmental Management Capacity & Needs. She underscored the importance of oceans, marine resources to Belize’s economy highlighting the

dependency of the Agriculture, Fishing, Tourism, and Service Sectors on the Marine Environment & Resources. She informed that some of the constraints for her country included the need for enhanced data exchange, sharing of Best Practices & Technologies.


She also highlighted the need for a cost-benefit analysis of the ecosystem services the marine environment provides, and need for national buoy and observing stations. She stressed the need for improved coordinated effort at the Regional level, Oceanographic and Bathymetric Assessment, and training in data collection, use of equipment, and analysis of data by Belize nationals.

50 M. Shiham Adam of Maldives made a presentation on his country’s Capacity Assessment, he referred to some of the unique features of the Maldives Archipelagic area, including coral reefs & lagoon habitats, and underscored the Maldives’ reliance

on ocean and marine resources and services that sustain their tourism and fisheries sectors which were the main economic base of the country. He underscored that these two vital sectors depended on the health of the coral reef ecosystem and that the geophysical existence and economic base is dependent on coral reefs. Mr. Adam gave a brief overview of the oceans and marine science capacities in Maldives listing a number of institutions that had programmes on the subject matter. He stated that efforts are being made in support of developing more Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and Marine Managed Area Programs. He listed a number of national programmes currently being considered or already in existence which included the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve. He highlighted the need to support their National Geographic Information System, Climate Database (under Integrating Climate Risks into Resilient Island Planning Project , MoEE) and informed of a Web-enabled coral reef database being developed with EU-WCCM support.

51 Mr. Rajendra Prassad of Fiji made a presentation on the situation in Fiji as it related to human resources capacity on oceans affairs stating that there were few Ocean Experts in the country or outside and informed that the expertise gaps were being

temporarily filled through technical assistance arrangements including volunteer schemes and Short-term contracts. He also stated that there was little awareness of IOC in the past but improving quickly with appointment of Suva based NPO. However, this is largely in the area of tsunami warning and response. He highlighted the need for more awareness raising of the IOC programmes in Fiji and within the Pacific region as a whole. He stated that there was no national marine/ocean science policy in place for Fiji and that coastal environment policy required strengthening. He also informed that neither Fiji nor any of the other Pacific SIDS have dedicated national provisions for Marine Science and Oceanographic research/services, except for marine meteorological service provided by National Metrological Services. He underscored the need to improve marine and oceanographic observations, data management and accessibility for constructive research.

52 In the discussions that ensued which were moderated by Ambassador Milan N. Meetarbhan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mauritius to the United Nations, the meeting highlighted the importance to strengthen the national

marine scientific capacities in SIDS. The need to raise awareness of the significance of marine science research and technology within SIDS national structures themselves was also stressed. The meeting also discussed the importance of including all stakeholders including civil society on matters concerning oceans as well as on issues concerning marine science was also underscored. The importance of an inter-disciplinary approach to matters of ocean and marine science was also reiterated as a positive way forward and should be encouraged. The meeting also discussed the importance of raising awareness of the IOC’s programmes in the SIDS regions, including the important work it has been doing through its regional commissions. The need for IOC to strengthen its presence in SIDS regions was also discussed. The view was expressed that it was clear that IOC’s regional commissions’ mandate and functions are separate from the functions of regional marine science and research centers provided for in Article 276 of UNCLOS and that there is merit in pursuing the establishment or designation of these UNCLOS mandated regional centers in SIDS regions. The meeting also discussed that low cost marine science research including those that monitor, analyze and share findings such as UNESCO’s Sandwatch have a place in SIDS communities. The meeting acknowledged the data gap that exists at the national level while acknowledging that data on fisheries was perhaps more available than those on other marine resources. The view was expressed that there might be an abundance of data, particularly on fisheries, but that there is no information sharing mechanism to ensure that the information is disseminated widely. While the meeting discussed the importance of higher education in oceans and marine science the need to address the issue of brain drain was also raised. The meeting discussed the issue concerning resources that are often tied to short term projects and recognized that utilization of resources over a longer term was more important and funding agencies and partners needed to recognize and support sustained funding which is key to successful projects. The meeting also discussed the importance that partnerships with universities, NGOs and broader stakeholders can contribute to building capacity in marine science research and technology in SIDS. In this regard the need to strengthen the interdisciplinary approach among the SIDS University Consortium towards promoting what could be termed as SIDS science was stressed. The view was expressed that IOC’s TMT Guidelines may need to be updated to reflect the latest technology, including high quality imagery technology. The meeting discussed the importance of traditional knowledge in marine science and research recognizing that the oceans is dynamic in nature and need for monitoring needs to be done over a long period of time, which is where traditional knowledge can play an important part.


IV. Way Forward

53 The EGM noted the upcoming SIDS regional preparatory meetings form the Caribbean, Pacific and AIMS regions to be convened in Jamaica from 4-6 July, Fiji from 10-12 July, and Seychelles from 17-19 July, respectively. The meeting agreed

that the recommendations (see attached annex) from the meeting can make a contribution to the regional preparatory meetings and that delegations and all stakeholders should be able to have access to the recommendations during their deliberations.

V. Briefing with AOSIS and Member States

54 On the afternoon of 17 May the experts met with members of AOSIS and development partners to brief them on some of the salient outcomes of the EGM that will form the recommendation of the EGM. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador

Meetarbhan. Statements from OHRLLS, IOC and DOALOS and were made highlighting the close cooperation and partnership these UN entities to jointly convene the meeting. The experts made presentations on some of the recommendations they will be making which they expressed hope could provide a useful input to the SIDS regional preparatory meetings towards a successful SIDS 2014 Conference in Samoa. The experts also took a number of questions from Member States who attended the briefing. The Chair summarised the discussions highlighting the importance of oceans and marine science research and technology for SIDS. He appreciated the work of the EGM over the four days and expressed the hope that the recommendations from the meeting would make a useful and meaningful contribution to the regional preparatory meetings and the process leading up to SIDS 2014 Conference in Samoa.


ANNEX I

The Significance of Marine Science and Technology for SIDS and the Importance of Transfer of Marine Technology to SIDS to Support Sustainable Development

EXPERT GROUP MEETING RECOMMENDATIONS

In the context of the preparations for the 2014 Third International Conference on SIDS in Apia, Samoa, the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on: The Significance of Marine Science and Technology for SIDS and the Importance of Transfer of Marine Technology to SIDS to Support Sustainable Development, having met at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, from 14-17 May, 2013, under the auspices of the UN-OHRLLS, in partnership with UNESCO’s IOC and the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, recommended that:

1 Accelerated efforts must be undertaken, including through the effective implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS and its Mauritius Strategy for implementation and

in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other relevant instruments, to conserve and manage sustainably SIDS valuable marine resources. These efforts should include innovative approaches that (i) develop targeted SIDS capacities and scientific know-how, particularly in marine science, research and technology, given SIDS lack of a critical mass of human resources in this vital field, and (ii) capture SIDS traditional knowledge that provide SIDS with the best available information to guide them in pursuing their sustainable development aspirations, including in the efforts to harness their massive ocean renewable energy potential as well as in tackling the multifaceted impacts of climate change through adaptation and mitigation;

2 Renewed efforts to place oceans and marine resources at the heart of the sustainable development agenda for SIDS must recognize the inherent vulnerability of SIDS, but should also place new emphasis on the value of SIDS. This

acknowledges that, relative to their land masses, SIDS are in fact Large Ocean States (LOS). Many are custodians to vast ocean spaces that are globally significant for a number of reasons including food security, rich biological diversity, carbon sequestration, natural resources exploitation potential;

3 Improved coordination mechanisms at appropriately high levels within national authorities are needed to: (i) elevate science-based policy discourses on oceans governance and marine resources management and (ii) raise awareness

among what are comparatively small populations and small land masses in globally important spaces. In this regard SIDS should seriously consider the establishment of national Ministries of Oceans/Marine Resources that place oceans at the center of SIDS national development policies. Established Ministries should adopt an integrated approach to the management of human activities affecting the oceans and their resources and consider fisheries, agriculture, watershed and coastal management, forests, and biodiversity conservation. They should recognize the value that marine science and technology can contribute towards better informed decision making on the broad range of oceans and marine resources issues, including the effective designation of managed and protected areas, enhanced integrated coastal management, improved ocean zoning, improved sustainable marine resources management, improved tourism policies and capitalising on the holistic “ridge to reef” approach;

4 The international community should make available adequate resources to alleviate any disproportionate ‘conservation burden’ that SIDS, some of whom have undertaken ambitious voluntary commitments to conserve

vast areas of ocean spaces under their national jurisdiction for the sake of national as well as global good, may shoulder having potentially forgone the economic benefits that they would have otherwise derived from the use and exploitation of the resources in those areas;

5 Initiatives by the international community in support of marine scientific research carried out in SIDS should be consistent with UNCLOS and be longer term based, with a focus on achieving high quality outcomes over high

quantity of outputs and include large scale outreach and bottom-up capacity components. This will better meet the challenges of managing the oceans and marine resources under national jurisdiction, regions and sub-regions, including by global, regional national and local institutions, NGOs and other stakeholders;


6 Increased resources, including required technical support, should be made available to SIDS to allow them to effectively implement UNCLOS, including through SIDS/SIDS cooperation, to effectively manage their marine

resources and develop their marine scientific research capacities, and fulfill their obligations under UNCLOS, to deposit, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, charts showing straight baselines and archipelagic baselines as well as the outer limits of the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf or, alternatively, the lists of geographical coordinates of points;

7 The collection of data and information, including in particularly those collected in areas under SIDS jurisdiction, should be carried out pursuant to the provisions of UNCLOS on marine scientific research, including article 244,

and that knowledge and research results from marine scientific research be disseminated to SIDS.

8 Cooperation amongst SIDS and between SIDS and their development partners, including the private sector, in areas of mutual interest are further enhanced in new and emerging areas, particularly in the potential for responsible

exploitation of deep sea minerals and other non-living resources in areas under SIDS jurisdiction, and further recommend that clearing house and technical backstopping mechanisms are developed that would support and promote such cooperation;

9 Renewed efforts to develop national ocean policies should be considered with an emphasis on science and research in wide consultation with civil society and other user groups, including the private sector, to inform policy decisions,

and strengthen national ocean policies where they already exist, which places emphasis on multi-level governance at national, local and community levels with appropriate support of relevant regional and global institutions, including IOC of UNESCO. Efforts should place emphasis on the need to increase awareness of the role of oceans and seas for sustainable development with significant impacts on SIDS economic, social and environment dimensions;

10 The marine science and technology research programmes within the SIDS University Consortium of Small Island States (UCSIS) must be strengthened. This is especially to promote SIDS-SIDS partnerships that emphasise

interdisciplinary approaches to marine science and developing curricula in SIDS regions that address human resource development, technical institutional infrastructure, continuing education and building locally relevant adaptive capacity;

11 SIDS Academic institutions, NGOs, civil society and other stakeholders should be encouraged to pursue and secure relevant funding sources that promote marine science and research in SIDS that are normally not available to SIDS

governments to supplement and complement efforts made at the government levels to implement SIDS marine science and research and contribute to the science/policy interface;

12 Support networks, measures or mechanisms should be established to retain built capacity in marine sectors. These should include the provision of incentives for continuous upgrade of professional knowledge and the conduct of

capacity development actions aimed at reducing the ‘brain drain’ of SIDS marine and ocean sector specialists in SIDS as well as systematically taking advantage of the pool of internal and external experts for capacity development action while recognizing the need to widely disseminate information on national programmes to tap this resource;

13 Measures to raise awareness and knowledge on the benefits flowing from the implementation of, and compliance with, the provisions of UNCLOS and other relevant treaties and ongoing processes that relate to scientific data and

information gathering and dissemination, as well as other general provisions that extend beyond channels of information dissemination including direct engagement with national and regional centers, universities, end users, private sector and other groups involved in ocean-related activities, need to be improved;

14 It is essential that SIDS continue to attend, in larger numbers, and effectively participate in, a number of global and regional oceans processes particularly those related to the implementation of UNCLOS, including the work of the

General Assembly and the processes it has established to consider ocean affairs and the law of the sea, the International Seabed Authority and IOC programmes and, in this regard, the international community should assist SIDS to attend and effectively contribute to these global and regional processes;


15 The IOC explore the possibilities for updating its Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology to reflect recent developments particularly in the field of geospatial and other innovative technologies relevant to SIDS;

16 Article 276 of UNCLOS be implemented in SIDS to allow for a coordinated approach involving global and regional oceans and marine science institutions, including those indigenous to SIDS, to enhance support for SIDS capacity

development on marine science research and technology, and facilitate the transfer of marine technology to SIDS;

17 UN-Oceans should place SIDS specific issues high on their agenda in the ongoing effort by the UN System entities to coordinate on oceans affairs and issues;

18 SIDS be assisted to strengthen their national, sub-regional and regional enabling environment through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy framework and institutional mechanisms that not only deploy modern

marine STI but also mainstream traditional marine technologies for the socio-economic and inclusive development of SIDS. Such assistance could be provided through UN Regional Commissions and their specialized agencies such as Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of ESCAP, and other UN agencies through south-south and trilateral cooperation;

19 SIDS capacities to analyze high resolution imagery of SIDS and their coastal zones captured through technologies such as LiDAR, should be improved to allow marine scientific research and accurate assessments that can translate

to better planning and policy decisions;

20 Development of SIDS endogenous capacity and training in new SIDS-developed technologies to protect corals from global warming, shores from global sea level rise, restore fisheries, and undertake sustainable mariculture

be instituted urgently to assist SIDS ability to adapt to the immediate and future impacts of climate change.


ANNEX II

List of Experts

Mr. Michele Ameri, UN Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea

Dr. Mohammed Shiham Adam, Marine Research Center, Maldives

Mr. Mitrasen Bhikajee, IOC/UNESCO

Prof. Al Binger, SIDS-DOCK

Dr. Thomas Goreau, Global Coral Reef Alliance

Dr. Russell Howorth, former Director, SOPAC, South Pacific Community (SPC)

Dr Achutan Venugopalan William Ittekot, University of Bremen

Mr. Taholo Kami, IUCN

Mr. Michael Lodge, ISA

Dr. Daniel Marie, Mauritius Oceanography Institute

Ms. Maxine Monsanto, Environmental Officer, Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Belize

Dr. Patrick McConney, University of the West Indies

Mr. Osamu Miyaki, IOC/UNESCO

Dr. William Morrell, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Mr. Rajendra Prasad, IOC/UNESCO

Ms. Charlotte Salpin, UN Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea

Mr. Nanjundappa Srinivasan, ESCAP-APTTC

Mr. Hans Thulstrup, SC/UNESCO

Moderators

H.E Ambassador Ronny Jumeau, the Republic of Seychelles’ Ambassador for Climate Change and SIDS issues

H.E Ambassador Milan N Meetarbhan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mauritius to the United Nations

Featured Event on Small Island Developing States at the Fourth Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction

Geneva - Switzerland19-23 May 2013

I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................30

II. Event Structure ..........................................................................................................................................30

III. List of Speakers ..........................................................................................................................................31

IV. Summary of Statements by Panelists ................................................................................................33

Annex

Highlights and Recommendations ................................................................................................................40

30 | SIDS: Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction

I. Introduction

1 The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

(UNISDR) co-organised a Featured Event entitled Strengthening Partnerships Towards Disaster Risk Reduction for Small Island Developing States at the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. The Global Platform took place from 19-23 May, 2013 at the Geneva International Conference Center with the Featured Event on SIDS taking place on the 21st May (15:00 – 18:00).

• Seeprogrammeunder:http://www.preventionweb.net/files/32569_en.pdf

• Seevideounder:http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLBDwPnveHho-jeZRMdDgHKnVtLWk0bL8p&v=n2xbNquU5-Y&feature=player_embedded

2 In light of the interrelated and complex reality SIDS face, vis-à-vis disaster risk, the Featured Event aimed to draw upon national and regional experiences through the perspectives of political leaders, experts and stakeholders in various aspects

pertaining to the disaster risk reduction agenda for SIDS.

3 The event pursued multiple objectives including the need to highlight the vulnerability and exposure of SIDS to hazards leading to escalating losses and the corresponding impacts on development. Also, a call for immediate action and support

to reduce risks associated with disasters and to enhance SIDS’ resilience was sought. As the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2013 was launched by the Secretary-General prior to the event, it was also made an objective to discuss the findings as pertaining to SIDS given new risk data and the need to highlight the role of the private sector in contributing to risk mitigation. In view of the upcoming Third International Conference on SIDS in 2014, the event also sought to identify work to be done on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and sustainable development to contribute towards the preparatory process leading up to the SIDS International Conference. Similarly, with the successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA2) being prepared for 2015, views were sought as to how the resilience building for SIDS would be incorporated into HFA2. Recognizing the importance of the grassroots and traditional levels of society in SIDS, the event moreover, aimed to bring this sector to the fore with regards to strengthening and building capacity to prepare and respond proactively to disaster events.

II. Event Structure

4 The event was structured in two parts. The first session (15:00 - 16:00) was a high level segment chaired by the High Representative Mr. Gyan Acharya who provided opening remarks followed by statements of the nine high level

representatives including a presentation on relevant SIDS findings from the 2013 Global Assessment Report by Mr. Andrew Maskrey (Lead Author, Global Assessment Report).

5 The second session (16:00 - 18:00), moderated by BBC Chief International Correspondent Ms. Lyse Doucet, was structured as an interactive dialogue with panelists providing 3 minute opening remarks followed by a moderated dialogue allowing

for questions from the floor.


Session 1 Panel, Chaired by the High Representative, Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya (UN-OHRLLS)

Hon. Ms. Nikki Kaye, Minister of Civil Defence, New Zealand (Session 1 panel)

H.E. Ms. Marisa Helena do Nascimento Morais, Minister of Internal Affairs, Republic of Cape Verde (Session 1 Panel)

III. List of Speakers

6 Session I: High-Level Opening (3-4pm)

[Chair] Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

1. Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations

2. H.E. Mr. David Basile, Minister of the Interior, Republic of Haiti

3. H.E. Mr. James Fletcher, Minister of the Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Saint Lucia

4. H.E. Ms. Nikki Kaye, Minister of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, New Zealand

5. H.E. Ms. Marisa Helena do Nascimento Morais, Minister of Internal Affairs, Republic of Cape Verde

6. H.E. Mr. Mohamed Nazim, Minister of Defence, Republic of Maldives

7. Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response

8. Mr. Rajendra K Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

9. Mr. Andrew Maskrey, Coordinator, United Nations Global Assessment Report (GAR) on Disaster Risk Reduction


Session II: Interactive Dialogue (4-6pm)

[Moderator] Ms. Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, BBC

1. H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Republic of Maldives

2. Mr. José Rubiera, Director, Instituto de Meteorología (National Forecasting Centre), Republic of Cuba

3. Ms. Annies Athy Simon, community worker, Republic of Vanuatu

4. Mr. Ronald Jackson, Executive Director, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

5. Mr. Gary Philoctete, Country Director, J/P Haitian Relief Organization

6. Mr. Christophe Legrand, Sustainable Development Expert, Indian Ocean Commission

Session 2 Panel with Ms. Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, BBC

Session 2 Panel: Mrs. Annies Athy Simon, community worker, Republic of Vanuatu, [Moderator] Ms. Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, BBC, Mr. Gary Philoctete, Country Director, J/P Haitian Relief Organization, Mr. Ronald Jackson, Executive Director, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Republic of Maldives, Dr. José Rubiera, Director, Instituto de Meteorología (National Forecasting Centre), Republic of Cuba, Mr. Christophe Legrand, Sustainable Development Expert, Indian Ocean Commission


IV. Summary of Statements by Panelists

High Level Session – Chaired by the High Representative Mr. Gyan Acharya

7 Mr. Gyan Acharya, UN High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, stated that this was a timely event for Small Island Developing States as preparations are made towards the 2014 SIDS Conference, the second review of the Hyogo Framework

for Action in 2015 and as the discourse is intensified towards the post 2015 development agenda. The High Representative emphasised that the means of livelihoods is precarious for SIDS and that disaster risk had to be thought of in a holistic manner including from the fundamental perspective of survival and sustainability of livelihoods and development efforts. Mr. Acharya stressed that an opportunity existed to build resilience through a multi-stakeholder approach and a need for stronger global partnerships including through innovative business partnerships and full engagement of communities and civil society. He also stated that natural disasters were a fact of life in SIDS, but their impact should not be.

8 Mr. Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary-General, said that when it came to the environment and climate, there was no “Planet B”. Mr. Eliasson stressed the urgency of the issue of disaster risk reduction for SIDS and given that this group of countries

contributes less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions, SIDS are on the frontlines of climate change and suffer disproportionately. The DSG also stressed that the effects of climate change on SIDS was of serious concern which could affect their economies, territories, and at times their very existence. He emphasised that SIDS relied on the business community to help strengthen their economies and are riddled with debt by recurring disasters. Looking toward the 2014 SIDS Conference, Mr. Eliasson stated that the issues of climate change and disaster risk reduction would be top of the agenda at the Conference in Samoa.

9 Mr. David Basile, Minister for the Interior of Haiti, praised efforts and partnerships by the international community in responding to the 2010 earthquake which devastated his country. He highlighted that Caribbean nations were becoming

more cohesive through regional integration including through political and economic means. Integration included for instance increasing exchanges on climate change, and on controlling and managing land and sea phenomena.

10 Mr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, stressed that the key economic sectors in SIDS were all susceptible to the impacts of climate change including fisheries, tourism and agriculture with resultant implications

for food security. He also outlined the vast differences in economic losses experienced by SIDS compared to other groups of countries when considering disaster related losses. He stated that rising sea levels were responsible for extreme coastal flooding and substantially higher risks for Small Island Developing States; low-lying islands were especially vulnerable to erosion, inundation and saline intrusion. Disasters entailed the possible loss of development opportunities and a setback in development gains, with sharp economic repercussions for SIDS. The need for improved infrastructure and enhanced institutional measures was highlighted as crucial for SIDS. He also stressed that when considering Greenhouse Gas Emissions, the global community had an obligation to support SIDS – given that they suffered the greatest as a result of climate change yet contribute less than 1% to global emissions.

11 Mr. James Fletcher, Minister for Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology of Saint Lucia, said the Caribbean, where many countries were already confronting high levels of debt and anaemic economic growth,

faced an increased risk of climate change. Given that many countries in the Caribbean shared similar concerns as pertaining to climate change and hazards, Minister Fletcher emphasised a regional approach to risk mitigation and likewise minimizing the severe impacts of climate change. It was stressed that SIDS should institute effective early warning systems, strengthen planning and building guidelines, and share best practices. The Minister elaborated on the need to balance socio-economic priorities and disaster resilience. There is also the need for SIDS to expand data acquisition, spatial planning and improve infrastructure in order to bolster capacity building efforts for better resilience to disasters. Minister Fletcher informed that when it came to mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction and the need for an integrated approach, SIDS continue to struggle in this field. The Minister welcomed the idea of learning lessons from others including amongst SIDS and that Saint Lucia was happy to share its community group actions with others. The issue of technical assistance was also highlighted as a crucial issue that continues to be of concern for SIDS.


12 Ms. Nikki Kaye, Minister for Civil Defence of New Zealand, said the country had a lot in common with Small Island Developing States as it was also highly prone to hazards. New Zealand felt a strong responsibility to assist Pacific nations in

strengthening their capabilities with supporting their national management plans and procedures and also their National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) training, awareness-raising and practical assistance in emergencies. New Zealand is also extending support to local communities for disaster awareness and preparedness in the Pacific. Given New Zealand’s strong investments in science, Minister Kaye informed of assistance being given to Samoa with a tsunami-mapping exercise following the 2009 Samoa tsunami but also a 5 year volcano mapping exercise in Vanuatu. Furthermore, New Zealand was assisting – through its aid programme – Kiribati, Fiji and Cook Islands with disaster risk reduction initiatives. Minister Kaye expressed New Zealand’s strong commitment to support Samoa towards hosting of the 2014 SIDS Conference.

13 Ms. Marisa Helena do Nascimento Morais, Minister for Home Affairs of Cape Verde, said that disaster risk reduction could not be dealt with in isolation but should be a part of the national development policy. Minister Morais outlined the various

difficulties Cape Verde faces including volcanic activity, prolonged drought, coastal erosion, sea-level rise, torrential rain, flooding and implications for food security. Given that tourism and fisheries are the two mainstays of the Cape Verdean economy, disasters hamper activities in these sectors. The Minister stated that limitations in infrastructure meant difficulties with dealing with disasters and that a serious disaster would seriously threaten the development of the country. The costs of recovery and limited budgetary capacity meant that even “small” disasters were considerable, and so Cape Verde was working to update its development agenda to incorporate disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change. The Minister expressed that Cape Verde does not have the capacity to build resilience on its own, and that partnerships at the regional, sub-regional and multi-lateral levels – including through technical assistance – were needed.

14 Mr. Mohamed Nazim, Minster of Defence of Maldives, said that all efforts towards disaster reduction in Small Island Developing States should go hand in hand with climate change adaptation. The Minister stressed that to be effective, SIDS

needed to present a common front to the world including through sharing of lessons and perspectives. Raising awareness and preparedness amongst the population is a key focus for the Maldives. With tourism being the mainstay of the economy, mitigation and adaptation were being integrated into the policies of the industry to increase resilience. For the past few years it had focused on creating resilient island communities in the face of storm surges, flooding and other hazards, and the tourism industry was also looking at how to increase resilience including through adopting finance risk insurance. Minister Nazim stated that building strong cross-sectoral partnerships was the key to successful disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Aside from international partnerships, partnerships amongst SIDS was also emphasised as crucial to overcoming common challenges.

15 Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, said the European Union had been at the forefront of the battle against climate change. Ms. Georgieva described how

despite the economic crisis in Europe, their remained a commitment to promises made including through fast-track financing; delivering €7.5 billion. She emphasised that SIDS needed to have a large voice to amplify the message of priorities by the international community. She spoke of bottom-up solutions including through simple but effective community based initiatives that the EU supported with special focus on reducing loss of life, reducing damage and building capacity. With reference to funding, she stated that Europe had an obligation to assist developing countries. She outlined assistance programmes by the EU including a €20 million facility for the Pacific and likewise for the Caribbean. EU programmes are also focussing on countries exposed to recurrent shocks with an emphasis on building capacity in withstanding shocks as a priority for EU cooperation. She also stressed the importance of countries being able to have capacity to absorb assistance being received during disasters.

16 Mr. Andrew Maskrey, Coordinator and Lead Author, United Nations Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2013, said that reducing disaster risks was one of the best ways for Small Island Developing States to gain traction and

increase their competitiveness. Mr. Maskrey stressed that SIDS are widely accepted as being highly prone to the hazards of natural and man-made disasters. SIDS possessed the highest risk to capital from disasters than any group of countries in the world. Furthermore, SIDS have a high proportion of their assets exposed to risk as indicated in Figures 1-3. As illustrated in Figure 1, in the case of a 1-in-250 year earthquake, 7 of the 10 countries that would lose the largest proportion of the value of their urban produced capital are SIDS. In the Solomon Islands, Dominica and Vanuatu, between 30% and 50% of the value of their urban produced capital would be lost. Looking at the amount of investments that is at risk is equally important as this determines the ability to bounce back after a disaster strikes; see Figure 4. He emphasised that disasters for SIDS could mean sluggish growth not only in the short-term but over many years with the potential of entering a vicious cycle where poor growth leads to a lack of resources to build resilience and recovery from future disasters.


Figure 2: Top 10 countries with highest AAL (left) and PML (right) from cyclonic winds

(Source: UNISDR, based on GAR global risk model)

Figure 1 Top 10 countries in terms of Average Annual Losses (AAL) (left) and probable maximum loss (PML) (right) from earthquakes as a percentage of urban produced capital


Figure 3: Urban produced capital and population (absolute and relative) exposed to tsunamis in SIDS



Figure 4 : Probable maximum losses from one-in-250 year earthquakes (top) and cyclonic wind damage (bottom) as a percentage of gross capital formation (SIDS highlighted in bold)



Second Session – Interactive Dialogue Moderated by Ms. Lyse Doucet

17 Ms. Iruthisham Adam, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the UN in Geneva, said that natural disasters had increased considerably in Small Island Developing States, many of which relied on their environment and ecosystems for income

generation. She referred to the 2005 Mauritius Strategy for Implementation which outlined important proposals for tackling climate change including through capacity building and human resource development. She also outlined the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) proposal under the UNFCCC to address disaster management for climate change under an international mechanism to address loss and damage. Given that many SIDS rely on ecosystems for income, disasters pose a threat to this source of income. Referring to the HFA synthesis report, she stated that the progress being made by SIDS was below expectations. The Ambassador stated that disaster risk reduction measures were a good investment in building resilience which can lead to economic opportunities. Maldives was already committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2020. Ms. Adam stressed that more information was needed on how to actually manage disasters and that inadequate data presented constraints. Furthermore, she pointed to institutional capacity constraints as barriers to disaster risk reduction efforts. Ms. Adam emphasised that daily work at the grass-roots level was needed to build resilience.

18 Mr. Jose Rubiera, Director of Cuba’s National Forecasting Centre, said the planet climate was changing including through increases in sea-surface temperatures presenting an increased hurricane risk in the Caribbean, but Cuba had faced many

previous such disasters successfully. He outlined that scientific institutions were an active part of the disaster management system in Cuba. Its meteorologists used simple language and graphics to explain hurricanes, and their messages were translated into guidelines and recommendations by civil defence authorities and broadcast as early warning messages through various mediums. Mr. Rubiera also referred to a strong culture of prevention in the country. Student competitions including at the primary school level were held to test knowledge of disaster issues, and little by little the population was developing an awareness of risk. He stressed that lessons learned from Cuba could be shared with other SIDS especially that of the culture of preparedness.

19 Ms. Annies Simon, Civil Society Representative from Vanuatu, stressed that the greatest challenges faced by small Pacific island countries in confronting natural hazards were internal capacities and geographical location. What they relied on the

most was their traditional knowledge including observation of cloud movements and seabirds which for generations had been a powerful tool for coping with hardship. Furthermore, traditional knowledge was highlighted as an early warning system of importance to local communities. Small community committees took preventive and responsive action in the face of natural hazards. They valued becoming self-reliant before seeking donor support. It was also pointed out that rural communities in SIDS were hard to reach and often left last in terms of relief following a disaster event. Given that rural communities were heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture, the case was made for building resilience in this sector. In Ms. Simon’s work with rural communities in her native Vanuatu, she pointed to a booklet (Yumi redy long wan Disasta – Let’s be ready for a Disaster) which she had written which explains in simple everyday language how rural communities can build resilience and be prepared when natural disasters strike.

20 Mr. Ronald Jackson, Executive Director, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, said that disaster risk reduction was an economic and developmental issue, involving governance, partnerships for sustainable financing, and

emerging partnerships. He emphasised the importance of a wide stakeholder buy-in not just with the 18 Member States of CDEMA but also with private sector and donor partners. There is also a focus of harmonizing DRR investments in the region. While the DRR issue had advanced considerably in the region including through the Caribbean Community Strategic Programming Framework, more targeted investment was required along with strengthening funding frameworks. Partners and funding should be further harmonized around the issue of climate change and DRR, language should be repackaged and the value of investing in risk reduction should be better illustrated. Mr. Jackson stressed that investments in disaster risk reduction provided economic benefits. The example of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) was presented as being of importance in issuing early warning to affected communities. He also stressed that any intervention by donor countries in the region should involve capacity-building. Some countries were excluded from donor envelopes, making them even more vulnerable. However, parallel mechanisms were emerging to deal with climate change adaptation financing.


21 Mr. Gary Philoctete, Country Director, J/P Haitian Relief Organization, said that a cash-forward approach had been useful after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti to involve families in all stages of the relocation process. Both formal and on-the-job

training had been provided to masons. Unfortunately, Government involvement had been limited, as most of its institutions had collapsed following the earthquake. Poverty and instability only impeded disaster risk reduction, which required major infrastructure development that was often beyond the Government’s capacity. The private sector, which was also important, was unfortunately lacking in Haiti. Despite efforts at reconstruction, the country remained very vulnerable, and ran more or less the same risk in the event of another earthquake or hurricane.

22 Mr. Christophe Legrand, from the Indian Ocean Commission, said that climate change adaptation should be strongly aligned with disaster risk reduction, and more resources should be made available through regional cooperation in such

areas as data procurement, where many Small Island Developing States lacked individual capacity. He also pointed out that there was a greater capacity constraint in the Indian Ocean region than compared to the Pacific and Caribbean. In this light, he highlighted the importance of partnerships amongst the three SIDS regions with collective action amongst regional institutions. He emphasised that SIDS shouldn’t go into the 2014 SIDS conference with a common position as they are leaders in DRR and should lead by example. Of importance is the pooling of resources through regional institutions when considering risk financing and insurance but also as a cost effective measure. In reference to data management, Mr. Legrand stated this was key and a precondition to DRR policies.

23 In summary, Mr. Acharya reflected that the presentations had provided a holistic view of both challenges and opportunities for SIDS. It was not only small islands that were being looked at, but also the large oceans of which SIDS are custodians of,

which had an impact on the health of the islands and their inhabitants but also the global public goods found in the oceans. While disasters occur in all countries, it is the disproportionality of the impacts that must be stressed and taken into account when it comes to SIDS. Early warning, institutions and resourcing were extremely important in any discussions of disaster risk reduction, which required mainstreaming into national development plans to build resilience. Mr. Acharya also stressed the importance of protecting and conserving natural resources – particularly coastal – through which communities acquired their livelihoods. SIDS issues must also be at the forefront of the post-2015 development agenda, the DRR agenda, the 2014 SIDS Conference and likewise the climate change agenda.


Annex Highlights and Recommendations

24 The Featured Event highlighted the need for SIDS to institute effective early warning systems, strengthen planning and building guidelines, and share best practices. It is important that disaster risk reduction and resilience building be

mainstreamed into national development programmes. It was made clear that investments in reducing disaster risks was one of the best ways for SIDS to gain traction and increase their competitiveness.

25 It was acknowledged that the private sector in SIDS was an important stakeholder with an important role to play in terms of building resilience and sustaining livelihoods. Poverty reduction was touched upon as an important avenue towards

resilience building.

26 The importance of preparedness was stressed as being vital including the use by authorities of simple language and graphics to explain hurricanes, and these messages being translated into guidelines and recommendations and broadcast

as early warning messages through various media. Integrating disaster risk reduction into education and awareness curricula from primary school level upwards and including at the grassroots/community level was also stressed as an important avenue for improving preparedness and building capacity for resilience.

27 It was demonstrated that disaster risk reduction was a developmental issue, involving governance, partnerships for sustainable financing, and emerging partnerships. It was stressed that climate change adaptation should be strongly

aligned with disaster risk reduction, and more resources should be made available through regional cooperation in such areas as data procurement; where many SIDS lacked individual capacity. Emphasis was placed on the need for heightened cooperation amongst SIDS. Given that these countries have experienced various levels of natural and man-made disasters, they are best placed to institute best practice and disseminate lessons learned amongst themselves and the global community.

28 Speakers concurred that Caribbean nations were coming together to address climate change, sustainable development and trade. One of the challenges however, was to ensure that the strategies were mutually reinforcing. Efforts were also

presently focused on tourism and community-level risk reduction, rather than spread out into broader sectors, such as health, agriculture, education, finance, environment, water, sanitation, rural communities etc.; a cross-sectoral approach would be advisable.

29 Despite agreement on the need for cross-sectoral programmes, it was recognized that a lack of resources meant priority being given to important sectors – such as tourism – at the expense of others. In this light, there was emphasis on the need

for greater regional solidarity to bolster disaster risk reduction in those sectors that were lacking.

30 It was expressed that there should not be a singular focus on disasters but also on shocks, as not all shocks cause disasters but that there were shocks which had cumulative effects such as the international financial crisis which compounds recovery

from disasters in SIDS. The importance of building resilience to transboundary shocks was also highlighted in that there were examples of shocks being experienced by larger countries that had direct impacts on SIDS; such as rising food and fuel prices.

31 It was stressed that there is ample expertise present in the SIDS regions and that international assistance needed to take into account building the capacity of that expertise as part of development aid. Also of importance is the need for SIDS

governments to increase investments in disaster risk reduction including in partnership with development partners..


32 One important priority of the Featured Event was to highlight recommendations pertaining to SIDS with regards to the second phase of the Hyogo Framework for Action – also known as HFA2 – commencing in 2015. In this regard, the Featured

Event recommended that:

• HFA2needstoreflectthedisproportionateeffectsofclimatechangeonSIDSandthatthisisagroupofcountrieswhichcontributes the least – less than 1% – to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet bear the greatest burden to the multiple impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the Global Assessment Report 2013 chapter on SIDS clearly makes the case – given the latest risk data – of the high exposure of SIDS to natural hazards. In this light, SIDS is the group of countries which stands to gain the most if investments in disaster risk reduction can be leveraged.

• HFA2shouldrecognizethatbyvirtueofSIDS’geographicfeatures,theyaremoreoftenthannotsituatedinareashighlyproneto natural hazards. Importantly, communities in SIDS are often located in highly prone areas as these are access points to livelihoods. This includes for instance fishing communities exposed to coastal phenomena and farming communities located on steep slopes – some of which are volcanically active, geologically unstable or prone to flooding.

• HFA2willneedtostressthatSIDScontinuetorequiresupportandpartnershipsinestablishingandmaintainingeffectiveearly warning systems. Such systems need to be well coordinated, simple to understand and provide guidelines for action by communities in responding and mitigating the effects of hazards. Improved ata acquisition and data management resources would enhance the ability of SIDS to predict and respond effectively to hazards.

• Nationaldevelopmentplansneedtoeffectivelyintegrateandmainstreamdisasterriskreductionthroughaholisticcross-sectoral approach involving all relevant stakeholders including private sector and civil society. However, it must be realized that given capacity and resource constraints faced by SIDS, it is often the case that resources are directed and prioritized to select sectors at the expense of others. While this is understandable, it often means that gaps are present in maintaining resilience. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on pooling limited resources through better coordination by government authorities and relevant stakeholders.

• HFA2needstoreflectonthetransboundaryeffectsofshockswhichareoftenfeltdisproportionatelybySIDSincludingforinstance price rises in food, fuel and other commodities.

• Educationregardingdisasterriskreductionfromprimaryschoollevelupwardsneedstobeemphasizedasvitaltobuildingresilience in SIDS. Rural communities will need support in this regard. It is also vital that expertise already present in SIDS be supported and enhanced with the support of development partners.

• Privatesectorengagementandpartnershipsneedsfurthercommitmentandexpansion.AsmanySIDSeconomiesrelyonahandful of industries – notably tourism – it is crucial that private sector be recognized as important stakeholders in the resilience building agenda.

• HFA2mustencourageSouth-SouthcooperationandespeciallyamongstSIDSthemselves.Asagroupofcountriesthatisoftenexposed to similar hazards, SIDS are best placed to share lessons learned. This cooperation needs to be supported by not only SIDS themselves but their development partners.

Addressing Risk, Harnessing Opportunity: Building Disaster Resilience in SIDS

I. Recognising the Challenges .................................................................................................................44

II. SIDS: A Special Case .................................................................................................................................46

III. Building Partnerships for Resilience .................................................................................................46

44 | Addressing Risk, Harnessing Opportunity: Building Disaster Resilience in SIDS

This joint paper, prepared by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), draws on the findings of the 2013 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the SIDS Featured Event at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction ‘Strengthening Partnerships Towards Disaster Risk Reduction for Small Island Developing States’, held in Geneva on 21 May 2013.

I. Recognising the Challenges

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) represent less than one per cent of the world’s total population. Scatted across three regions, SIDS are a highly diverse group both in terms of their unique social and cultural identity but equally in their economic and political development. Despite this, all SIDS share a common reality. SIDS are located among the most vulnerable regions in the world in relation to the intensity and frequency of natural hazards. SIDS face high levels of disaster risk, have comparatively low economic resilience and have high or extreme levels of environmental vulnerability.

Between 2000 and 2011 it is conservatively estimated that over 110 and 187 disasters caused by various hazards affected the Pacific and Caribbean regions, respectively. While the death toll and economic losses may appear low in comparison to ‘mega disasters’ elsewhere, the local-level impact on communities and the economic impact to the affected countries are enormous, eclipsing disasters in other parts of the world which often receive much greater global attention.

Scaling the economic impact of disasters provides a clearer picture on how development in SIDS is affected by disasters. For example Cyclone Ivan in 2004 resulted in estimated direct losses of $900 million in Grenada, more than twice the Country’s GDP. Cyclone Evan, which hit the South Pacific in 2012, resulted in total losses equivalent to one third of Samoa’s annual economic output. Similarly, losses associated with the 2010 earthquake in Haiti are estimated to have exceeded 15 per cent of GDP. Given their small size, individual hazard events like cyclones may affect an entire territory and economy. As such disasters can destroy decades of capital investment and hard-fought development gains, often followed by slow and costly recovery.3 The increased indebtedness and constrained fiscal space can have long-term developmental consequences.

Given their small size, the expected annual average losses from earthquakes and tropical cyclone wind damage in SIDS represent respectively only 2 per cent and 1.4 per cent of the global total. However, precisely because they are small, 8 of the 10 countries that would lose the largest proportion of the value of their produced capital stock in a one-in-250 year earthquake are SIDS. In the case of a one-in-250 year cyclone, they comprise 6 of the 10 countries most at risk. 4

Countries with low levels of investment and high average annual losses are less likely to be able to absorb losses, even from more frequent, less severe events. Jamaica observed annual average losses between 1991 and 2011 equivalent to 2.6 per cent of its average annual investment. This contributed to its sluggish growth over this period.5 Similarly, Vanuatu and Tonga are estimated to sustain average annualised losses at 6.6 and 4.4 per cent, respectively. 6

1 GAR 20132 EM-DAT http://www.emdat.be/ 3 UNISDR, 2009: Risk and poverty in a changing climate. 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction. Geneva: UNISDR.4 GAR 20135 GAR 20136 Jha, Abhas K.; Stanton-Geddes, Zuzana. 2013. Strong, safe, and resilient: s strategic policy guide for disaster risk management in East Asia and the Pacific. Directions in development ;

environment and sustainable development. Washington D.C., The World Bank.


SIDS are among the countries that contribute least to climate change, with less than 1 per cent of total carbon dioxide emissions, yet stand to suffer most from its negative impacts. Climate change is likely to disproportionately magnify disaster risk in SIDS, due to sea level rise and associated flood and storm surge hazard, increasing cyclonic wind intensity, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers and worsening water scarcity and drought. In the Caribbean, changes in annual hurricane frequency and intensity could result in additional annual losses of $446 million by 2080, incurred mainly from business interruption to the tourism sector.

7 UNWTO, 2011: Compendium of Tourism Statistics Data, 2006-2010. 2011. Madrid: UNWTO.

With small and undiversified economies, many SIDS are severely constrained to participate in the global economy. Geographic distance, lower trade and transport volumes, limited access to ports and weak infrastructure resulting in high costs undermines SIDS competitiveness. The exception is in the tourism sector, where SIDS have been highly successful in developing and leveraging beachfront and coastal locations with sought-after marine and land-based leisure opportunities. In 2007, international tourism receipts accounted for 51 per cent of total value of exports of SIDS, in comparison to less than 10 per cent in other developing

countries. According to the UNWTO, tourism was the driving factor behind the economic growth in the Maldives and Cape Verde which lead them to graduate from their Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

However, with the significant opportunities, and economic growth derived from the tourism sector comes considerable risk. Both in terms of the economic dependency SIDS have on tourism, as the main provider of economic activity, but also in the economic risk that accumulates from assets held, and investments being made, in areas with high levels of disaster risk.

In the tourism sector, business investment and public promotion and regulation of the industry in SIDS represent both an opportunity and a risk. Incentives via appropriate policies on corporate tax breaks or adequate pricing of risk by the insurance market, for example, can greatly increase the opportunities available to encourage disaster resilient investments. Investments in resilient communities, environmental protection and local culture are already on the agenda of large hotel chains, airlines and tour operators. 7 Integrating risk neutral behaviour into the agenda of tourism destinations and operators could increase the sustainability of both SIDS and the tourism investments that they attract.

Example Changes in climate extremes projected (to 2100)

Inundation related to extreme sea levels in tropical Small Island Developing States

Very likely that mean sea level rise will contribute to upward trends in extreme coastal high water levels. (Observed changes since 1950 show a likely increase in extreme coastal high water worldwide related to increases in mean sea level).

High confidence that locations currently experiencing coastal erosion and inundation will continue to do so due to increasing sea level, in he absence of changes in other contributing factors

Increasing losses from cyclones Likely increase in average tropical cyclones maximum wind speed, although increase may not occur in all ocean basins. Coupled with the very likely sea level rise, the likely increase in tropical cyclone maximum wind speed is a specific issue for tropical small islands States.

Heavy rainfall associated with tropical cyclones likely to increase.

Source: adapted from Mahon et al., 2012 (based on IPCC, 2012)

Projected changes in climate extremes for SIDS


II. SIDS: A Special Case

The ‘special case’ of SIDS was first formally recognised over 20 years ago at the 1992 Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1994, the Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA) set a course for the sustainable development of SIDS, with the means to support this programme. Subsequent reviews of the BPoA, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation in 2005 and the UN Conference of Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 have continued to advance the development of SIDS, as a special case given their unique and particular vulnerabilities inter alia a large range of impacts from climate change and potentially more frequent and intense disasters. Rio+20 stressed the need for continued and enhanced efforts to assist SIDS in implementing the BPoA and Mauritius Strategy of Implementation.

Over the same period, the international community has continued to develop and advance its understanding of disaster risk reduction vis-à-vis sustainable development. Rio+20 firmly placed disaster risk reduction on the sustainable development agenda. Specifically, the international community “stress[ed] the importance of stronger inter-linkages among disaster risk reduction, recovery and long-term development planning, and call for more coordinated and comprehensive strategies that integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation considerations into public and private investment, decision-making and the planning of humanitarian and development actions, in order to reduce risk, increase resilience and provide a smoother transition between relief, recovery and development.”8

At the centre of this growing momentum towards addressing disaster risk within the sustainable development agenda is the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (HFA). The midterm review of the HFA highlighted that while many countries are making progress in life saving activities, through improved early warning and response mechanisms, disaster risk is not being adequately factored into investment and development decisions. Public planning and investment decisions are largely unconnected to policies and strategies to manage and reduce disaster risks. While at the same time, countries report difficulties in bringing legislation and policy to bear on the ground. Weak capacities in many local governments and ineffective mechanisms of accountability mean that even where countries have developed policies, legislative and institutional systems for disaster risk reduction, they are challenged to address risk accumulation on the ground.

As the international community considers a successor instrument to the HFA, which is expected to be adopted at the World Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan in 2015, perspectives from SIDS, including the integration of climate change issues through joint development plans, the critical role of the private sector, technology transfer and the custodian role SIDS have in the management of oceans, have already emerged. 9

III. Building Partnerships for Resilience

The value of regional partnerships for SIDS is established. A number of existing initiatives, such as the tsunami early warning systems in the Indian Ocean or the multi-country insurance instruments in the Caribbean and Pacific, highlight the benefits of regionally-led and owned initiatives, supported by development partners. These initiatives are generally providing more effective services and better value for money than if standalone initiatives were to be established.

Given the high levels of disaster risk, low levels of economic resilience and limits to competitiveness, regional approaches offer clear and tangible benefits in reducing risks and sharing burdens. There are a number of additional sectors where a regional approach could add value in the areas of disaster risk reduction and resilience building. This includes a joint framework promoting sustainable tourism, leveraging the opportunities for island-to-island and region-to-region technical assistance, expanding early warning and strengthening regional preparedness, and building national and regional capacity to support evidence-based decision-making and implementing disaster risk reduction programmes and frameworks.

8 Par. 188 of the Rio+ 20 outcome document “The Future We Want”9 Synthesis Report


SELECTED DISASTER RISK REDUCTION REFERENCES IN MAJOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT RELATED OUTCOME DOCUMENTS

Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) : Building Resilience of Nations and Communities to disasters January 2005, Kobe, Japan

25. The Mauritius Strategy for the further implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States underscores that Small Island Developing States are located among the most vulnerable regions in the world in relation to the intensity and frequency of natural and environmental disasters and their increasing impact, and face disproportionately high economic, social and environmental consequences. Small Island Developing States have undertaken to strengthen their respective national frameworks for more effective disaster management and are committed, with the necessary support of the international community, to improve national disaster mitigation, preparedness and early-warning capacity, increase public awareness about disaster reduction, stimulate interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral partnerships, mainstream risk management into their national planning process, address issues relating to insurance and reinsurance arrangements, and augment their capacity to predict and respond to emergency situations, including those affecting human settlements stemming from natural and environmental disasters.

The Future We Want, United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development – Rio+20 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

178. We reaffirm that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) remain a special case for sustainable development in view of their unique and particular vulnerabilities, including their small size, remoteness, narrow resource and export base, and exposure to global environmental challenges and external economic shocks, including to a large range of impacts from climate change and potentially more frequent and intense natural disasters. We note with concern that the outcome of the 5-year review of the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation (MSI+5) concluded that SIDS have made less progress than most other groupings, or even regressed, in economic terms, especially in terms of poverty reduction and debt sustainability. Sea-level rise and other adverse impacts of climate change continue to pose a significant risk to SIDS and their efforts to achieve sustainable development and for many represent the gravest of threats to their survival and viability, including for some through the loss of territory. We also remain concerned that, while SIDS have progressed in the areas of gender, health, education and the environment, their overall progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals has been uneven.

Outcome document of the High-level Review Meeting on the Implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing StatesOctober 2010. Mauritius

12. Also recognize the need to enhance and establish, if necessary, means and tools at the international level aimed at implementing a preventive approach for natural disasters in Small Island Developing States, reducing risks and properly integrating risk management into development policies and programmes, including through the further implementation of the internationally agreed framework for disaster risk reduction, the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015. We call upon the international community to continue to support Small Island Developing States in enhancing their efforts to strengthen regional and national efforts in disaster risk reduction, management and coordination, including creating or strengthening insurance mechanisms, where appropriate, for natural and environmental disasters in Small Island Developing States;

Keeping the promise: United to achieve the Millennium Development GoalsSeptember 2010. New York

35. We acknowledge that disaster risk reduction and increasing resilience to all types of natural hazards, including geological and hydro-meteorological hazards, in developing countries, in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters, can have multiplier effects and accelerate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Reducing vulnerabilities to these hazards is therefore a high priority for developing countries. We recognize that Small Island Developing States continue to grapple with natural disasters, some of increased intensity, including as a result of the effects of climate change, impeding progress towards sustainable development.

Private Sector Partnerships in Small Island Developing States

Bridgetown, Barbados27 August 2013

I. Background.................................................................................................................................................50

II. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................51

III. Structure of Event .....................................................................................................................................51

IV. High Level Participation .........................................................................................................................51

V. Summary of Event ....................................................................................................................................51

VI. Way Forward ...............................................................................................................................................53

50 | Side Event: Fostering Private Sector Partnerships in SIDS

I. Background

1 The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), in collaboration with the Government of Barbados and the Caribbean

Development Bank and key private sector stakeholders, convened a private sector focussed side-event at the SIDS inter-regional preparatory meeting convened in Barbados on 27 August, 2013.

2 The central importance of the private sector to the implementation of global sustainable development goals was first highlighted and recognised during the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio 1992. The

international community agreed that business and industry were critical to delivering sustainable development via promoting the integration of environment and development under broad partnership arrangements.

3 Subsequently, the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS (MSI) reinforced the UNCED outcome and articulated a role for the private sector in its

implementation, which included broad-based partnerships that ensure involvement and participation of all relevant stakeholders. The MSI also saw a role for the private sector in national enabling environments by calling for the engagement of corporate and other private-sector actors to contribute to sustainable development and the promotion of public/private partnerships.

4 More recently, one of the key messages from Rio+20 was the need for better integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development (Economic, Social, and Environment). In that regard, the Rio+20 outcomes supported regulatory

and policy frameworks that enable business and industry to advance sustainable development initiatives, taking into account frameworks for corporate social responsibility such as those promoted by the UN Global Compact.

From left to right: H.E. Kedrick Pickering, Deputy Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Dr. Carla Barnett, Vice-President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Under-Secretary-General Mr. Wu Hongbo, the Secretary-General of the Third International SIDS Conference, High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya, UN High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, H.E Maxine McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Barbados, H.E Faumuina Tiatia Faalatane, Minister of Finance for Samoa


II. Introduction

5 A key objective of the side-event was to launch a process that would contribute towards outlining a roadmap towards the establishment of the Private Sector Partnership Forum to Support the Advancement of Sustainable Development in SIDS

at the 3rd International Conference in Samoa 2014. To this end, the side-event focused on four issues of relevance to private sector development and its role in contributing to sustainable development. These were: a. Enabling environment in support of private sector development; b. Policy frameworks for business facilitation; c. Access and deployment of resource efficiency technologies in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – with a focus on energy efficiency; and d. Access and use of to trade statistics and information for increasing competitiveness of MSMEs in SIDS through capacity building.

III. Structure of Event

6 The High Representative chaired the side-event which was structured in two parts. The first involved presentations by the SIDS governments, Caribbean Development Bank and the UN system. It focused on the policies and frameworks that have

been put in place to encourage the participation of SIDS private sector in support of sustainable development at the global, regional and national levels. The second portion of the side-event involved presentations by invited private sector representatives from SIDS and regional intergovernmental organizations who made presentations on the situations ‘on the ground’ in the SIDS, including analysis on the current trends on the opportunities and challenges that SIDS private sectors face.

IV. High level participation

7 The side-event saw the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Barbados, H.E Maxine McClean, Minister of Finance for Samoa, H.E Faumuina Tiatia Faalatane Liuga, H.E. Kedrick Pickering, Deputy Premier of the British Virgin Islands,

and Under-Secretary-General Wu Hongbo, the Secretary-General of the Third International SIDS Conference and Dr. Carla Barnett, Vice-President of the Caribbean Development Bank. Other presenters were Ms. Indera Sagewan-Alli of the Caribbean Center for Competitiveness, Ms. Elizabeth Press of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Ms. Flavia Cherry of Women in Business of St. Lucia, and Ms. Fekita Utoikamanu of the Secretariat of the Pacific Commission (SOPAC) and Mr. Iosefa Maiava of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP). Some 80 participants attended the side-event. Participants, in their interventions, thanked UN-OHRLLS, the Government of Barbados and the Caribbean the for jointly convening the side-event.

V. Summary of the Event

8 The High Representative welcomed all participants to the side-event expressing his delight in jointly convening the side-event with the Government of Barbados and the Caribbean Development Bank. He expressed his hope that the side-event

would be a launch event that kick starts a process leading to the a Private Sector Partnership Forum for Supporting the Advancement of Sustainable Development in SIDS, at the Third International Conference in Samoa next year. He stated that the importance of private sector engagement in efforts to support the implementation of SIDS sustainable development aspirations is not a new phenomenon in the global SIDS discourse. He recalled that due to the inherent vulnerabilities of SIDS stemming from their small size that prevents economies of scale in SIDS, their isolation and remoteness from markets, the cost of doing business in many SIDS can be prohibitively high.

9 The side-event heard expressions from participants that the challenges stemming from these SIDS inherent vulnerabilities called for innovative solutions, including taking full advantage of appropriate ICTs to help close the distances noting that

physical distances are non-existent online. Participants also raised the important role of regional integration and cooperation on


issues such as transportation can also play a role in alleviating costs associated with national approaches which could otherwise have been economically unfeasible. The fact that the oceans and marine resources remain among one – and for many SIDS – the only asset through which foreign income can be generated was also highlighted.

10 It was recognized that for SIDS the role of MSMEs in economic growth was crucial and the importance of policies that support the growth of MSMEs need to be further promoted and strengthened. Highlighting inclusive growth, participants

recognized the role and opportunities for women and youth in business which should continue to be encouraged and strengthened in SIDS. A number of participants highlighted that in many SIDS, the informal sector, including those on arts and handicraft, are spearheaded by women and underlined that being small also has certain benefits. SIDS’ small size can mean that comparatively small expenditures can make a significant impact and as such the right investment however small has the potential to make meaningful impacts on the livelihood of many islanders.

11 Participants underscored that it was crucial that the international community supported SIDS in facilitating private sector partnerships and to invite private sectors from both SIDS and development partners to unite in fostering the necessary

environments for building genuine and durable partnerships – no matter how large or small – which would see the 2014 Conference being the launch-pad for concrete partnerships between and with SIDS.

12 Participants highlighted the national initiatives in a number of SIDS that supported the growth of MSMEs. The coordination role of national chambers of commerce were also highlighted as crucial in ensuring organization and coherence among

national private sector in SIDS and provided a platform for dialogue with national governments as well regional stakeholders. The importance for the private sector to work in a complimentary fashion with governments was highlighted as a key to ensuring that the right policies are developed and implemented.

13 The value of financial and tourism services was discussed and promoted as potential avenues for SIDS to pursue. It was recognized that some SIDS had excelled in pursuing these services more than others. The importance of dialogue with

financiers and banks was also highlighted as key in moving forward discussions on enhancing the private sector in SIDS. The example of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative was highlighted as a positive example of a platform that brought together political and business leaders to tackle an issue such as the protection and conservation of vast tracts of oceans spaces that are important for their intrinsic as well as commercial value.

14 The event also heard of the stagnant economic growth in a number of SIDS with growth at less than 3% with these SIDS with commodities. The advent of natural hazards and the toll that these events can take on the exposed economies of SIDS were

also discussed. The event was informed of studies indicating that climate change impacts in the next few years could result in 5-35% of GDP being committed to the addressing these impacts in many SIDS. Participants also discussed the availability of training and capacity building that institutions like the Caribbean Development Bank can facilitate that would contribute to strengthen technical capacities of SIDS.

15 Participants also discussed the role of indigenous and local knowledge in the context of the private sector in SIDS. It was acknowledged that sustainability needs collaboration and the impact that funds and incentives can play in supporting

growth can be massive if the issue of sustainability if these incentives can be properly addressed. The impact that incentives made in contributing to promoting the conversion to renewable energy was discussed as a concrete example of the use of incentives to support sustainable development. The need to also focus on social partnership was also expressed during the side-event. Such partnerships play a role in contributing to providing for the social needs for citizens, including in issues related to disaster preparedness.


16 The issue regarding the need for a clear definition of MSMEs was also raised during the side-event. It was acknowledged that various definitions currently existed for MSMEs in different SIDS. An oft used definition of MSMEs was employment

generation entities that are community based. It was estimated that MSMEs contributed to as much as 40% of GDP for some SIDS. However, the meeting was also informed that for many SIDS, competitiveness and the ease of doing business have declined. The view was expressed that the constraints faced by MSMEs included the lack of ease of doing business as well as a lack of access to finance. It was acknowledged that arrangements needed to be put in place to address these constraints, including effective policies and renewed incentives.

17 Discussions at the side-event acknowledged the importance that institutional mechanisms, including regional mechanism, can play in setting regional standards on technical matters that could contribute to supporting private sector growth in SIDS.

The need for long-term investment was also highlighted as key in ensuring success in building the capacities of SIDS and their private sector.

VI. Way Forward

18 On moving forward towards Samoa 2014 and the envisaged Private Sector Forum in Samoa, the meeting acknowledged the need for the private sector as well as the banks to be involved. In closing the High Representative thanked all participants for

their rich contribution to the discussions and assured the participants of OHRLLS’ support for the process going forward that was launched by convening the event.

pre-conference events

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