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CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP:

Finally, it must be remembered that the follow-up to the Conference and effective implementation of the Programme of Action will not only take place at the diplomatic level in the United Nations. The small island developing States themselves must ensure that they reorient their programmes and policies towards sustainable development. Governments must ensure that local communities, NGOs, women, youth, indigenous people and others play a key role in implementing the Programme of Action. Without active participation of people at all levels -- local, national, regional and international -- the Programme of Action will not be worth more than the paper it is written on.