ENB:03:04
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MALDIVES:
The representative from the Maldives said that the
Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) is the first opportunity to address these
issues at the international level and the Maldives attaches a high
priority to its success. The constraints to sustainable development
are well-documented -- a narrow resource base, limited human
resources, distances, the availability of resource information,
transboundary issues like climate change, sea level rise, trade and
political stability. Financing of Agenda 21 is a concern and if the
world community can mobilize trillions of dollars for defense, the
necessary resources should be able to be mobilized for more
constructive processes. The Maldives is encouraged by the progress
made so far by the PrepCom for the SIDS Conference and supports the
need for a resumption of the PrepCom. Moreover, it is not premature
to start addressing the post-Conference process. There is a need
for a mechanism to monitor implementation and a Secretariat in the
UN with the necessary expertise could provide an effective facility
for this purpose.