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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.