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Report from the International Workshop on Sustainable Development in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Lofoten, Norway,18 – 20 August 1999 List
of Participants The Government of
Norway hosted the International Workshop on Sustainable Development in
the Small Island Developing States from 18 – 20 August. The workshop
was held in Lofoten, Norway, an archipelago in the north of Norway where
fishing constitutes the main source of income. Forty-five experts from
22 countries, including 14 from small island developing states (SIDS)
attended the workshop. Various UN agencies, the EU, regional organisations
and private sector firms also participated. Session One: Sustainable Development & SIDS, Brighter Horizons for SIDS Small island developing states face unique opportunities and challenges in confronting sustainable development issues. This session focused on those issues, and how they might be dealt with. The Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA) was presented as a road map that spells out the challenges faced by these countries and gives directions for solutions. It focuses on the uniqueness of SIDS and sets international principles guiding sustainable development. The point made by one participant was to find how to implement the BPoA meaningfully. Two priorities were mentioned in how to strengthen the BPoA, implementation at the international level and the strengthening of partnerships. In order to implement the BPoA effectively, increased capacity building and institutional strengthening of infrastructures is needed. Since SIDS have small economic and human resources individually, regional co-operation is essential. The need for co-ordination was, therefore, stressed by all participants. There was some discussion on the difficulties of defining the limits of vulnerability and what exactly the constraints faced by small island developing states are. This was felt by some participants to be particularly difficult when dealing with issues of poverty eradication, since relative poverty in SIDS is a complex issue. The need to build awareness among the general public and NGO’s on the unique situation of SIDS was also felt to be important. Some donor participants stated that although differentiated trade regimes for SIDS have been discussed, under the current international situation, they are not seen as a viable option. Further, it was felt that the real problem for SIDS is not so much in receiving overseas development assistance (ODA) but rather in attracting foreign private investment. Capacity and partnership building were again stressed as key elements. The UNGASS on SIDS, which meets in September of this year, was felt to provide an invaluable opportunity to engage in a substantive discussion on how to proceed in the implementation of the BPoA. There have been several reviews of the chapters of the BPoA since its inception. Progress has been reviewed and main areas of priority action have been identified, these include climate change, natural disasters, water resources, and poverty. The need for a vulnerability index on socio-economic and environmental parameters, which takes fully into account the special circumstances and vulnerabilities of SIDS, was highlighted. No consensus was reached on the eventual application of the vulnerability index, and on the question of the introduction in the final text of the UNGASS of SIDS of chapters not included in the BPoA that may be better addressed in other fora. Co-operation, co-ordination
and collaboration were key words used throughout this session. This included
co-operation among governments, UN agencies, and domestic and international
non-governmental organisations. Technical co-operation and assessment
and follow-up will be important in furthering the implementation of the
BPoA. This session began with a report from the AOSIS workshop in Majuro, Marshall Islands. The workshop was held as a way to start a dialogue to move the negotiating process forward especially through concentration on areas with prospects for agreement and co-operation rather than on issues that divide. The Majuro Statement is seen as a first step in doing this. The Statement was recognised as an encouraging and important message that should be carried to the UNGASS and the fifth Conference of the Parties (COP 5) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) at the end of October. It was recognised that SIDS continue to play an important role in the climate change negotiations. The Kyoto Protocol was seen as a compromise instrument that will require further technical elaboration to enter into force. The operationalisation of the Kyoto mechanisms (international emissions trading, joint implementation and the clean development mechanism) are seen as vital elements to the ratification process. However, disappointment was expressed on the lack of progress since Kyoto. For many countries, decisions on guidelines are needed by COP 6 as is specified in the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. It was also recognised that projects, programs and practical suggestions need to be promoted. Several ideas for adaptation and mitigation were raised. Such approaches must be promoted in order to assist the forward movement of the FCCC process. Some participants stressed the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under the clean development mechanism. There are multiple benefits to SIDS and to the climate for doing so. Progress on implementation of the FCCC Articles 4.8 and 4.9 was also mentioned as an area of difficulty, since it merges two distinctly separate issues - the environmental and physical effects of climate change and the perceived economic impacts of response measures. The FCCC workshop on Articles 4.8 and 4.9 in September was seen as important an opportunity to discuss the issues. An update was given
on the status of the negotiations on a compliance system. One of the key
questions is how a compliance system will be tied to other parts of the
Kyoto Protocol. Participation in the discussions by SIDS and other developing
countries will be important in this issue. Session Three: Sustainable Energy Opportunities and Obstacles in the SIDS The supply and use of energy have significant social and economic implications for SIDS, including implication through local as well as global environmental issues. SIDS often pay very high prices for energy services, and suffer significant environmental consequences from the use of certain energy fuels at the local and global level. It was, therefore, strongly underlined that the focus on energy in the BPoA and the preparation for the UNGASS are crucial for SIDS. It was also noted that the ninth Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD 9) and the preparations for CSD 9 provide a much-needed opportunity to move forward on these issues. Sustainable energy refers to those energy activities that support economic, social, environment and security challenges that all countries face. This session looked at why and how SIDS should focus on sustainable energy. There is considerable room for improvement in the energy efficiency potential of SIDS. The renewable energy sources of sun, wind and ocean in SIDS, if available for use, are very large. Much would depend on capacity training and improvement, and the adaptation or use of the right technology. Some participants felt that more energy services could be made available through the more efficient generation and/or use of existing energy. Energy from solid waste, agro-industrial waste, and energy from the tropical ocean was mentioned as having long-term significance. In the case of electricity, the problems associated with a monopoly situation and the performance of utilities was being experienced by some countries and seen as real obstacles. Demonstration projects could be one way to influence how utilities conduct business in the future. The discussions emphasised
the need for SIDS to focus on energy efficiency, increased renewable energy
utilisation, and development and application of new technologies. Participants
felt that more focus needs to be placed on new and renewable sources,
new and relevant energy technologies, and issues and activities for energy
efficiency and energy sufficiency. Several case studies were discussed
that could provide valuable lessons for implementing successful energy
projects, including: Some participants felt that a framework that provides incentives for and removes barriers to the wide dissemination of successful demonstration projects would be important. Some participants
also felt that SIDS need to better define their needs and priorities in
the energy sector. Transportation and the effects on the energy sector
were mentioned as difficult issues that will need to be addressed. It
was also mentioned that although some SIDS have tried a range of energy
systems, many of them appeared to be still in the experimental stage,
indicating that more work needs to be done. Session Four: Sustainable Management of Marine Living Resources This session discussed the situation faced by SIDS in the area of sustainable management of marine living resources. SIDS have particular fisheries needs since the fishing industry is essential for food, security, economic development, export earnings and employment. The sustainability of this industry is threatened however, due to over fishing, toxic waste dumping, degradation of coastal habitats, and the lack of effective surveillance and enforcement of fisheries measures. Although this session focused primarily on the fishing industry, it is important to note that marine living resources encompasses much more. The discussion focused on four main areas from which valuable lessons could be learned. Participants discussed what the UN agencies are doing; the potential for inshore aquaculture; and the experiences of particular SIDS. They also discussed experiences of Norway on the regulation of fisheries and the fishing industry that could be of relevance for SIDS, particularly co-operation between the fishermen and government. History and indigenous knowledge can be of assistance to SIDS in developing their policy. This calls for co-operation between governments and fishermen. This type of co-operation could lead to the development of sustainable management practices. In particular SIDS, for instance, indigenous fishermen did not fish for spiny lobsters during certain times of the year in order to allow the species to reproduce. This practice was translated into national law resulting in the protection of the lobster during those times. Strengthening local management and regional co-operation was seen as keys to successful sustainable management practice. Financing national control through fees or other mechanisms was seen as crucial. In its chapter on fisheries in the FAO Programme of Action for SIDS, the FAO focuses on institution strengthening and capacity building, enhancing conservation and management, improving post-harvest management and marketing, safety at sea, strengthening the role of national fisheries industries and the privatisation of fisheries investment. Land based aquaculture was seen by some participants to hold potential, but one that can be capital intensive and might not therefore always be practical for SIDS. It was known that in some cases, new technologies had helped reduce the initial investment required as well as the operating costs. However, because of the investment needed and the high level of risk in developing such projects, outside assistance, such as private investments would be needed. As to offshore aquaculture, the Norwegian experience of the fishermen’s traditional knowledge for the basis of small-scale installations controlled by the fishermen themselves, was highlighted. A presentation on fisheries practices in one SIDS (The Bahamas) raised common issues applicable to all SIDS. Although sometimes dwarfed by some industry like tourism, the fishing industry is invariably of key importance to the national economy. Issues raised, included: • The inability
of countries to adequately monitor and control their exclusive fishery
zones due to the considerable size and lack of resources, i.e. boats needed
for patrolling waters. Technology may also be able to assist in this problem
as satellite tracking technologies become more accessible to SIDS. Session Five: Sustainable Development Tools This session looked at three areas that could be useful for SIDS: technology, a vulnerability index, and data collection. The Internet bridges the SIDS, providing a logical means to co-ordinate the global agenda on SIDS. Information technology impacts all sectors of development outlined in the BPoA, e.g., possible means for common database on relevant experiences to SIDS on energy projects. This provides an opportunity for co-operation between the SIDS and developed countries to utilise technologies relevant to SIDS. The need for accurate and current information is important not only for the public but also for policy makers. Technology is moving fast, with telecommunications and information technology merging. Telecommunications is making a difference through programs such as UNEPnet. UNEPnet addresses the widening information gap between industrialised and developing countries. UNEPnet provides satellite networking, teleconferencing, interpretation/multilingual translation and reduced communications costs. Another initiative that may be of relevance to SIDS is a software application for environmental reporting. This initiative will establish comparable reports on the state of the urban environment and could have potential for a SIDS environmental report. The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) has been developing an environmental vulnerability index (VI). The VI is still in the early stages of development. The replicability of the index to non-Pacific SIDS was encouraged. It was stressed that the VI was a necessary indicator of SIDS limitations, that it does not indicate poverty, but reflects exposure to outside conditions. One participant suggested that the VI should be integrated into the indicators under the CSD. The process of collecting data under the VI was also seen as a valuable activity for SIDS, especially in assessing the vulnerability of areas to climate change. The UN and the Commonwealth Secretariat have also undertaken work in this area. Co-ordination between international organisations was stressed as a necessary component in gauging how international agreements are being implemented. There was also an emphasis on the need for gathering relevant data for decision making. Although the ways for spreading information have grown, there is also a need for screening it, to know whether a technology has been tried and to what success or failure. It was also noted that although Internet access is growing it is not universally accessible, particularly among SIDS. Information technology, therefore, needs to develop along different tracks. Technology provides
an opportunity to address data collection problems from new perspectives.
Better information can strengthen the SIDS case to the global community.
Therefore, SIDSnet and UNEPnet with relevant organisations could explore
the possibilities of a pilot project to develop a SIDS environmental reporting
system. The VI should be recognised as a diagnostic tool, but SIDS should
seek to implement solutions at a national level as well as to seek support
from international partners. SIDSnet could also eventually serve as a
clearinghouse for projects presented to the international community. Discussions in this final session focused on the themes that emerged during the course of the Workshop. These discussions centred on the need for co-operation, collaboration and co-ordination. Regional co-operation is vital in the sustainable development efforts of SIDS. It is one of the essential elements of the BPoA. Regional institutions and their role in the implementation of the BPoA, including creation of institutions where they do not exist, need to be strengthened. Consultations and co-operation should be encouraged among countries of each region, and among AOSIS regions. The functioning of regionalism should allow for relative efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It is, for SIDS, a measure of self-reliance. The role and support of the UN system and other donors in the implementation of the BPoA is essential. There is a need for a full consultative process and a more co-ordinated approach by all donors. The strengthening of the existing UN SIDS Unit and the creation of similar dedicated units within the relevant UN agencies could be part of the co-ordination process. There is urgent need to develop and strengthen communication systems and information links within SIDS and among SIDS regions. SIDSnet is vital in this connection, and generally in the implementation of the BPoA. Though still in its infancy, SIDSnet holds real potential for out-reach to and among SIDS in respect of: sharing information among SIDS, providing relevant and needed information to decision makers in other countries, and contributing to the integrity of data collection. In SIDS, there are significant and important sustainable development needs linked to energy. There is need for policy change and political support for new energy initiatives, and more focus needs to be placed on questions like new and renewable sources, new and relevant energy technologies, and energy efficiency and sufficiency. There is also a high-priority need for capacity building and for the use and sharing of relevant technology. It will be crucial to build on the capacity and knowledge that currently exists in universities and other organisations in the region. Steps should be taken to strengthen partnerships, within SIDS, and with donor countries and their institutions. New and creative partnership arrangements should be explored, including those with private and business interests, non-governmental organisations and civil society communities. The outcomes of the Donor/SIDS meeting in February 1999 should be examined, and a clear response on how to proceed on project proposals should be encouraged. In line with the spirit of the AOSIS workshop, participants felt that we should concentrate on issues that hold out the promise of agreement and co-operation, and not those likely to produce confrontation and division. The results of this workshop should be carried to other places and fora. Ultimately, the sustainable development of SIDS and the success of the BPoA will depend on SIDS’s own efforts and their primary responsibility and ownership of the BPoA. Many are already engaging in considerable implementation activities and in structural and modernising systems and policy reform. SIDS need every encouragement and support in their endeavours towards self-sufficiency and sustainable development. ***** Small Island Developing States
Network (SIDSnet) |
