Annan names Chowdhury chief of review conference on sustainable development

Annan names Chowdhury chief of review conference on sustainable development

9 December – United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today named 
Under-Secretary-General Anwarul K. Chowdhury the secretary-general of an 
international meeting next year to review 10 years of implementing policies 
to develop small island states in a sustainable way.

The 10-year review of the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action for the 
Sustainable Development of the Small Island Developing States will take place 
in Mauritius from 30 August to 4 September 2004.

The Barbados Programme of Action reviewed the implementation of measures 
adopted at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, as well as 
those contained in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 
Convention on Biological Diversity.

Earlier in the General Assembly session, Mr. Chowdhury suggested that 
delegates identify priorities for the 2004 conference agenda, including the 
economic, social and environmental vulnerability of small island developing 
states (SIDS), poverty eradication measures, freshwater issues, climate 
change, renewable energy, development of marine resources and sustainable 
fisheries, reducing HIV/AIDS and increasing trade.

The Programme of Action facilitates cooperation with and assistance to the 
SIDS in these and other areas.

Mr. Chowdhury is also the UN High Representative for the Least Developed 
Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing 
States.


SOURCE: United Nations, New York