Mr. Chairman,

First of all I would like to align myself with the statement made by the Maldives on behalf of AOSIS and by Papua New Guinea on behalf of the Pacific SIDS.

Mr. Chairman,

Last month, the Security Council dedicated one of its sessions to climate change as a threat to human security; today we are faced with its development aspects. While my delegation acknowledges the primary responsibility of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to deal with the issue, it is only fitting to look at it from the perspective of our current meeting. I would like to focus on the following issues.

First, climate change is a concern that all countries should share – not just small island developing states. But for us the most vulnerable, we are already experiencing its negative effects. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and often wipe out years of development efforts within a few hours.

We welcome the announcement by the countries of the European Union to reduce emissions by 20% until 2020. Despite this encouraging development by the EU, there is still cause for concern. Climate change has to be tackled at the source. The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol must be fully implemented and everyone, especially the world’s main polluters, must do their part. It is high time that we should do this.

Mr. Chairman,

Combating emissions is necessary but not sufficient. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have to adapt to the effects of climate change which are already felt in the islands and will become more drastic in the coming years. The international community has to provide new and additional resources to assist SIDS in identifying, prioritizing and implementing their adaptation actions and strategies. Additionally, the adaptation funds established under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol should become fully operational and access to the funds has to be simplified. Regional risk insurance facilities should be set up with the support of the donor community.

Mr. Chairman,

Concrete language has been proposed by the small island developing states and we hope that it will be reflected in the next draft. The true nature and vulnerabilities of small island developing states should command more concern, attention and support from the international community than it has given.

Thank you, Mr. President.