SOLOMON Islands has thrown its full support and welcomes the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) development goal for sustainable development through genuine and durable partnership.
Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga echoed the country’s support when presenting his remarks at the opening of the plenary session amongst heads of governments, government officials, SIDS delegates, NGOs, international organisations and the UN.
Mr Maelanga said the international community’s recognition of SIDS special case in the context of sustainable development has given SIDS a unique with particular vulnerabilities.
The deputy Prime Minister said Solomon Islands welcome the theme of the conference “Sustainable Development of Small Islands Developing States through genuine and durable partnerships.”
However, he said lack of implementation of the last two SIDS conferences outcomes adopted by Barbados Program of Action in 1994 and in 2005 and the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation (MSI) is a concern and must change in Apia going forward.
“Implementation is about partnerships, new partnerships that are SIDS owned, led and driven. Partnerships that see SIDS as equal partners based on mutual respect, trust and accountability,” Mr Maelanga said.
He said although SIDS and the international community have reaffirmed their shared political commitments to the 19 SIDS priorities in the SAMOA Pathway, these priorities and commitments can only be translated into action with focused, concrete and results oriented partnerships.
He added these partnerships should transcend all levels of governance and especially the engagement of local governance institutions.
Mr Maelanga highlighted that the slow pace of climate change negotiations and the lack of ambitious commitments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions has distorted the path of having an agreement in Paris.
Therefore Mr Maelanga signals the country’s support to join all SIDS in the UN Secretary General’s climate summit later this month.
“We earnestly hope that the summit will mobilise and build a momentum that will breathe new life into the climate change negotiations,” Mr Maelanga said.
Echoing the country’s support, the deputy Prime Minister further highlighted the urgency to act on issues affecting SIDS.
Mr Maelanga stressed that urgent action and political will is needed to halt sea level rise and ocean acidification
“Ocean acidification is an eminent and chronic threat to the economies, livelihoods and cultures of SIDS and SIDS must be supported to monitor and address the impact of ocean acidification.
“Furthermore, natural disasters and extreme climate events continue to significantly undermine the development gains that have been made,” he said.
Mr Maelanga further called for effective recognition of the countries’ sovereign rights and privileges as already provided for in international law to sustainably manage the pelagic resources in the region to contribute fully to their developments.
Mr Maelanga told the plenary session that Solomon Islands future lies in investment in the areas of renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries, eco-tourism, ICT and connectivity and mining.
“These priorities are identified in the country’s National Development Strategy, currently being reviewed to align with green growth and a low carbon economy.”
He said Solomon Islands is opened for partnerships and willing to share its experiences.
The deputy prime minister said the country’s hydro public-private partnership experience in terms of mitigation,multi stakeholder partnership and the integrated, holistic, ridge to reef approach taken by national government, provincial government, development partners and stakeholders to help communities adapt to and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
“The coral triangle initiative is a successful example of trans boundary partnership involving 3 SIDS in coastal marine resource management and conservation,” Mr Maelanga said.
He added issues of climate change, international trade and development finance, waste management, health-particularly non-communicable diseases, science and technology and communication technologies are particularly amenable to cooperative partnerships for Solomon Islands.
However, Mr Maelanga stressed that although there are many opportunities for cooperative partnerships, such partnerships must accrue quantifiable benefits.
“My delegation supports a SIDS global business network that will provide a sustainable pathway in enhancing targeted partnerships at all levels,” Mr Maelanga added.
He said Solomon Islands delegation is pleased to see climate change, energy, ocean, consumption and production, and gender, amongst others identified as goals.
He highlighted that much of the chapters in the SAMOA Pathway are captured in the Sustainable Development Goals(SDG).
“The SDGs is not just about eradication of poverty but is also about preserving the sustainability of our planet.”
Meanwhile Maelanga highlighted that in going forward, Solomon Islands is strengthening its national institutions to become implementing agencies.
“We view this critical development, in rolling out the SAMOA Pathway to our rural communities. We also look to the United Nations to assist us in realizing this goal especially before 2016, when the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) will review what we have agreed today under the SAMOA Pathway,”Maelanga said
The DPM added that Solomon Islands further hope to see current UN priorities for the Pacific can now be reviewed and be closely aligned to national priorities articulated in respective National Sustainable Development Strategies.
Mr Maelanga acknowledged fellow SIDS citizen, President of the General Assembly from Antigua and the Barbuda, Ambassador John Ashe, UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon, Bolivia Chair of G77, Nauru for chairing the Alliance of Small Islands State, for their leadership.
He also thanked all fellow SIDS from Africa, Indian Ocean, Asia, Pacific and our Caribbean colleagues for your friendship, unity and solidarity.
“To all our partners, have faith in us, let us define our sustainable future through genuine and durable cooperation,” Mr Maelanga said.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA
in Apia, Samoa
