ENB:08:23
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CAMBODIA: Amb. Ouch Borith said that SIDS have been spokespersons for the adoption of ocean conservation measures at the global level. Cambodia has emerged from twenty years of war and is not indifferent to SIDS.
ISRAEL: Valerie Brachya said that regional and international efforts have focused recently on coastal zone management, in recognition of the need to formulate guidelines for sustainable development in coastal areas.
FIJI: Amb. Ratu Manasa K. Seniloli said that SIDS are among the most fragile ecosystems. Sea-level rise will have profound effects on the economy of these islands, even though they generate very little of the greenhouse gases.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Parry M. Zeipi, Minister for Environment and Conservation, called on the international community to support the inclusion of SIDS, especially those of the South Pacific, on the GEF Board.
MALTA: Amb. Joseph Cassar stressed the cultural heritage of the island peoples. He reminded delegates that the use or ill-use of resources under SIDS' jurisdiction impacts the world as a whole.
NEW ZEALAND: Priscilla Williams conveyed a message from the people of the island community of Tokelau, one of the smallest SIDS in the world, at a time when the responsibility for the affairs of Tokelau is transferred from New Zealand to the people of Tokelau.
CHILE: Miguel A. Gonzalez said that in recent years a dense network of interests that goes beyond national borders has developed and States now have a duty to show solidarity.
HOLY SEE: Archbishop Renato R. Martino said that human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development and that development initiatives must respect the full dignity and freedom of those affected by them.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION: Dr. Gunnar Kullenberg proposed that SIDS prepare an integrated, jointly sponsored intergovernmental cooperative programme to ensure sustainable use of their adjacent ocean resources and coastal areas for development.
NIGER: Adamou Seydou said that although they are separated by seas and oceans, Niger and SIDS share a common cradle, the continent of Africa. With growing solidarity, developing countries can rid their lives of poverty, hunger and lack of housing.
UNITED STATES: Elinor Constable said that all countries of the world are interconnected. While problems of SIDS may be different, the risk is the same if we do not take care of our environment. She also raised the issues of integrated coastal zone management, coral reefs and climate change.
MONTSERRAT: Terrence Daniel highlighted Montserrat's experience in waste management, natural disaster preparedness, and coastal and marine resources management. He also stressed the importance of human resources and the role that the UN can play.
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADULT EDUCATION: Ijahnya Christian said that NGOs engaged in education at the grassroots level recognize a relationship between what has gone wrong on this planet and educational processes that may not have focused on learning for sustainability.
COMMONWEALTH HUMAN ECOLOGY COUNCIL: Zena Daysh said that the new Commonwealth is a model that should be followed and she drew attention to the meeting her organization will hold in the UK this year.