COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Seventh Session (CSD-7)

INTER-SESSIONAL AD HOC WORKING GROUP
New York, 1-5 March 1999
STATEMENT BY H.E. TUILOMA NERONI SLADE
Permanent Representative of SAMOA
Chairman of the ALLIANCE OF SMALL ISLAND STATES (AOSIS)
OCEANS AND SEAS
1 March 1999

Mr Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

The marine environment is central to the character and well being of small island developing States (SIDS). We are ocean-dwellers. Though separated by vast distances, the oceans and seas unite us in common purpose.

The sea is our most precious resource. The waters and ecosystems surrounding islands are vital to existence. The whole island is a causal influence on the environment, and in turn is influenced by the marine coastal and near shore activities and processes. It means that the disasters of nature, as of those created by human negligence, can have total, sometimes devastating effect on the island and its support system as a whole.

The success of national development planning for small island developing States is substantially dependent, and in many specific cases would be wholly dependent, on the continued health of the oceanic and coastal systems.

We therefore come to this debate with a sense of concern and urgency.

The Barbados Programme of Action for the sustainable development of small island Sates, puts emphasis on the need for development and management programmes to achieve the ecologically and economically sustainable utilisation of coastal and marine resources. These continue to be major challenges for small island developing States. The lack of an integrated approach has limited the effectiveness of past and present management measures, resulting in coastal habitats being degraded through pollution and over-exploitation of natural resources. The absence of an integrated approach is a significant constraint for small island developing States.

The AOSIS countries will put forward in the course of this inter-sessional meeting some proposals for meeting these challenges, especially in relation to:

* the impacts of planning and development on the coastal environment;
* guidelines for sound practices and techniques suitable to small island developing States for the integrated management of coastal and offshore marine development; and
* the conservation and management of resources in the exclusive economic zones.

Let me also say that small island developing States have committed themselves to a set of actions based on new approaches for pursuing the protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment and its resources. Governments of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), for instance, have moved to have the Caribbean Sea internationally recognised as a special area in the context of sustainable development. In the Pacific, steps have been taken through the Strategic Action Programme to integrate national and regional sustainable development priorities with shared global environment concerns for protecting international waters. This is a regional Programme which draws strength from institutional arrangements such as the South Pacific Organisations Coordinating Committee (SPOCC), its regional development strategy and working groups on marine, land resources and tourism. For their ultimate success and vitality, these regional initiatives require every support from the international community.

We have canvassed for improved oceans management on a number of occasions, and we would do so again here. Conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas and marine resources is critical in support of regional fisheries regimes, as well as initiatives aimed at reducing land and sea-based pollution. We need and we will continue to seek international support to build capacity, to assess and manage the vast oceanic resources of small island developing States, and to establish or strengthen specific coordination mechanisms.

May I say in this connection that the AOSIS countries strongly support the call for measures to bring into effect the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, as well as the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. We think insufficient attention and priority has been given to the problems associated with marine pollution. Early and specific action to support the implementation of the Global Programme of Action on Land-Based Sources, including regional programmes, would serve us all well.

We are especially concerned to see that all action is taken to ensure the health of reefs and to sustain their protective capacities. We must continue to build on the International Coral Reef Initiative, and to implement the Jakarta Mandate.

To the extent possible, AOSIS member States have sought to be closely involved in a number of negotiations that have explicit legal remits pertaining to oceans and fisheries, as well as those relating to associated issues such as climate change and biological diversity. It is essential that we endeavour to contribute to the development of international legal principles and regimes in all these areas because ultimately, the most effective protection for small States is an agreed international order.

Given the linkages, and the complexities, there cannot be any doubt about the critical need for a fully integrated and coordinated treatment of the issues pertaining to the oceans and seas. The endorsement in Agenda 21 of such a multi-sectoral approach was a resounding achievement of the UNCED process. Indeed, it is a fundamental principle of the Law of the Sea Convention, as it is under the Barbados Program of Action.

This brings me to say that the AOSIS member States share fully the views and concerns expressed about the existing arrangements for dealing with issues on oceans and seas. In this respect we have noted the Secretary General’s reports on the matter, to the General Assembly last year and to this seventh session of the Commission. We believe that the existing arrangements for reporting on and for consideration of these issues can and should be improved. Effective co-ordination with a view to producing an integrated overview would need to be given attention. The role of the General Assembly would be central, and consideration should be given to ways for enhancing the annual debate on oceans and the law of the sea, and how it might be better prepared. More time for debate and consideration, before the General Assembly as well as before the Commission on Sustainable Development would appear to be necessary. It is no longer sufficient to leave these matters in the disparate and separate regimes dealing with a subset of the oceans and seas.

Thank you.