Jamaica: SIDS Roundtable - Presentations & Speeches

Opening Statement by
H.E. Mr. Ben Clare
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica

Hon. Deputy Prime Minister
Hon. Ministers
Distinguished Delegates
Distinguished Representatives of the United Nations
Ladies and Gentlemen

For more than a decade, representatives of Small Island Developing States have been meeting to pool our intellect and creative energies in the quest for sustainable development. We have worked relentlessly for global recognition of our special constraints and circumstances. Our achievement of that recognition was evident in the adoption in 1994 of the Barbados Programme of Acton and in the outcome of the 22nd Special Session of the UN General Assembly in 1999.

We are meeting here today, preparatory to the World Summit for Sustainable Development and bearing very clearly in mind the Singapore Declaration of the Alliance of Small Island States. Our mission is to effectively position ourselves in the global effort to forge productive partnerships for sustainable development. Our solidarity in this effort is essential.

It is therefore my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to Jamaica, a small island which is totally committed to the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action. For some of you, it is your first time in Jamaica and I'm sure that you have already noted the similarities between your small islands and ours. Those of you, who have come from the Pacific region, have traveled long. Yet, to find here in the Caribbean, so much that is reminiscent of home. To our friends from northern climes, we extend a very warm welcome, especially where you have recently emerged from the chills of winter and the vagaries of springtime. My colleagues from the Caribbean know that this is your second home and we are always happy to have you. My hope is that all of you will not only find this a particularly useful encounter, but that you will enjoy your brief stay in Jamaica.

In our evaluation of the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action, we recognize the efforts, which have been made to that end, but we must acknowledge the limited progress in attaining our objectives. It is significant that two of the major constraints to the development of small island developing States are similarly the major impediments to the implementation of the BPoA: limited availability of human resources and inadequate financial resources.
Admittedly, the major drawback in the implementation of all development oriented international programmes of action has been the lack of political will as reflected in the inadequate funding provided for such programmes. Therefore, developing countries had hoped that the long-awaited International Conference on Financing for Development could have resulted in definitive commitments for fresh financial resources in support of development. Several key concerns of developing countries were not satisfactorily addressed and we must therefore remain unified and active in the advancement of the development agenda.

Of particular concern to the SIDS, is the upcoming World Summit for Sustainable Development. In the preparatory process, we have noted a tendency to undermine the agreement reached at the UN Conference on Environment and Development on SIDS. We have successfully combated efforts to remove the proposed chapter on SIDS from the draft WSSD outcome document, but we dare not rest on our laurels. The battles to be fought and won revolve on the key issue of adequate funding for the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action. It is clear that if we are to convert the European Union to acceptance of our position, the SIDS must maintain a consistent and unified strategy, both in the remaining preparatory session, as well as in the Summit itself.

What the UNDP is doing now in our support, is of great importance to the SIDS. The UNDP has demonstrated the real spirit of partnership with us and we look forward to strengthening this even further, as we confront the three broad areas of vulnerabilities to which we are subject.

I am sure that we all look forward to the roundtable discussions which will follow. With the intellect and expertise gathered here today, we are certain to adopt a "Montego Bay Declaration" which will influence the outcome of the World Summit for Sustainable Development, in favour of the developmental aspirations of all our peoples.

From here on our objective must be implementation; that is the work that must be ever constant in our minds; that is the work that must punctuate every speech we make; implementation must be our goal.

Once again, welcome to Jamaica and may our deliberations be productive.

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