STATEMENT BY
H. E. LEO A. FALCAM
PRESIDENT OF
THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
BEFORE THE
TWENTY-SECOND
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FOR THE REVIEW AND APPRAISAL OF
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR THE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF
SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
New York, September 27, 1999
Check Against Delivery
Mr. President, Distinguished Heads of State and Governments,
Ministers, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the time my country joined the United Nations in 1991, the Rio
Earth Summit was merely a fledgling idea. Negotiations on climate
change were ongoing at the time, however, the idea that small-island
states should receive special recognition seemed radical. Anyone
suggesting, then, that the world would eventually come together for a
conference specifically on the situation of small-island states,
would have been considered a dreamer. Who would have imagined that a
plan of action would be presented, and that in 1999, its progress
would be reviewed in a special session of the United Nations General
Assembly. But that is exactly what we are doing here and so we must
thank the numerous delegates and officials, past and present, whose
hard work and dedication have made it possible for us to be here
today.
Mr. President, the issues that we are dealing with are not only
relevant to the humanitarian role of the United Nations Charter, but
they are also critical to all nations. This is an excellent
opportunity to further the work already underway and to encourage
even stronger measures as we enter the 21st century.
Overall, it is my government's view that implementation of the
Barbados Programme of Action has been slow. For instance, in
receipts of Official Direct Assistance (ODA), small-island states
have experienced significant declines over the past five years. The
Government of the Federated States of Micronesia attended the recent
SIDS donors conference with high hopes. At that time, we presented
the comprehensive measures we had undertaken to pursue
sustainability, and highlighted the unmet needs we feel are critical
to capacity building and institutional strengthening. We are eager
to proceed to the next stage and hope that today's session will
provide the impetus to set the wheels of ACTION into motion.
As modernization has unfortunately taken us further away from our
traditional sustainable practices, we face a future with hope and
confidence through the mandate of the Barbados Programme of Action.
I am pleased to report that my people and government have already
embarked on this new journey. For instance, although painful and
difficult, we have successfully implemented structural adjustments
and reforms that include drastic government downsizing. The Vice
President of the Federated States of Micronesia chairs a Sustainable
Development Council that monitors implementation of sustainable
mechanisms in the nation. In 1995, we convened our first ever
national and state economic summits, and only last month concluded
the second economic summit to evaluate our progress. My government
has also made use of outside assistance for sound economic policy
planning and management. This function will eventually be integrated
and developed from within. The United Nations Development Programme
has also been instrumental in providing for institutional capacity
development of the private sector.
Full fruition of such initiatives depends on the government's
political will and the willingness to take difficult actions despite
great political risk. It also hinges on the continued financial and
technical assistance from our bilateral, regional and multilateral
donors. To put it bluntly, Mr. President, the islands need help and
will continue to need help. We must take positive and urgent action
on these critical issues or else, small islands will only serve as
disastrous examples of global complacency and inaction. As I stated
last week in the General Assembly, the "business-as-usual"
("laissez-faire") attitude on critical global issues is no longer
adequate.
To continue, I must recognize the signs of progress under the
Barbados Programme of Action. Though slow, we are beginning to see
some benefits through such institutions as the Global Environment
Facility and the United Nations Development Programme.
Mr. President, the term "adaptation" is no longer considered a dirty
word in the context of the Climate Change Convention. The deadly
consequences of deteriorating coral reefs, improper fisheries
management, and inadequate freshwater have all been put on the global
agenda.
Mr President, I do have one final concern. Many donors seem content
to lump our small island states into one generic category. In the
Pacific Region alone you can find low-lying coral atolls, high
volcanic islands, desertic climates and lush rainforests. Island
states have varying characteristics and must be dealt with
individually. Developmental assistance must not be based solely on
the static figures of gross domestic product or population. It must
also, in fact, be tailored with an eye on the various terrestrial and
maritime characteristics that contribute to the uniqueness of each
island nation.
Indeed, Mr. President, the decisions are difficult. Thus, I appeal
to the donors who have so generously supported the Barbados Programme
of Action and plead that all nations proceed with the sense of
urgency that our global reality demands today. With the continuing
support and encouragement from this great Organization and the donor
community, our problems can be overcome.
Thank you Mr. President.
|