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OPENING SESSION

The Chair of the Preparatory Committee of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Amb. Penelope Wensley (Australia), opened the resumed session of the PrepCom. She commented that in seven weeks the Secretary-General will open the Conference in Barbados and, if this Conference is to be a success, the PrepCom must finalize its work on the Programme of Action. She expressed confidence that this week will be productive mainly because of the efforts of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) during the intersessional period. She noted that AOSIS is now under the chairmanship of Trinidad and Tobago and paid tribute to Amb. Robert Van Lierop of Vanuatu, the previous Chair, and said the success of the Conference will be due to his inspiration, dedication and energy.