Statement
Excellencies, Distinguished Speakers, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen I wish to make the following intervention on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Discussion on SDG 4 – Quality education Tuesday, 9 July 2019, 3 – 6 PM, Conference Room 4 Firstly, I thank the speakers for their framing of this discussion on Goal 4. SIDS have long recognized that its true wealth lies in the power of its human capacity. SIDS have undertaken ambitious educational reforms to provide its population with the quality of education that would propel not only the individual but would contribute to the overall economic development of the of the nation. Several SIDS have made some progress in a number of the areas within the ambit of this SDG, primarily at the primary and secondary levels, but there is still a significant lag at the tertiary and technical and vocational levels. The resourcing that is required to outfit a competitive higher-level education system is often too great to be managed by a single SIDS. You will find that Universities are largely regional in nature – combining the financial and human capacity resources into a single, comprehensive system. You will also find that the education system is still responsive to traditional trajectories and rapid movement towards technology is just not present. Often, STEM education is confined to ad hoc initiatives and inconsistent approaches. Partnerships possibly provide the greatest opportunity to enhance the system and to make it relevant to the global shifts in technology. We therefore reiterate our call on the relevant UN entities and to our developed partners to continue their work with SIDS to ensure that we accelerate our advancements to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all our people. Discussion on SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth Wednesday, 10 July 2019, 3 – 6 PM, conference Room 4 I thank the speakers for their invaluable inputs to this discussion this afternoon on SDG 8 – decent work and economic growth. The high per capita income of most SIDS does not adequately reflect the true situation in these economies, as they are highly dependent on a few sectors such as tourism and agriculture, which are extremely volatile to exogenous factors such as global economic and financial shocks, intense and more frequent natural disasters particularly perpetuated by climate change. Either of these two situations can result in a complete downturn or loss of growth gains. SIDS have over the years tried to diversify their economic base, in an effort to buffer and become more resilient to external shocks, venturing in various types of industries, such as financial services, ITC, niche agriculture and aquaculture. However, growth in these areas is constrained by mismatched skills and high productions costs, and by exogenous factors that impede comprehensive growth prospects. Investment into an innovative and flexible financial sector, a responsive education system, an enabling regulatory environment is undoubtedly necessary, but so too is a supportive global system that recognizes that SIDS issues are unique and particular within the developing country fold. We therefore call on the international community to continue to work with SIDS to create the enabling environment that supports SIDS growth prospects and complements national efforts to pursue and achieve long-lasting economic growth. Discussion on SDG 13 – Climate Action Friday, 12 July 2019, 9 am – 12 PM, conference Room 4 As it is well known SIDS are among the least responsible for the impacts of climate change, yet we are the ones who suffer the most from its adverse effects, so challenged that some SIDS have had to face the grim reality of perhaps becoming uninhabitable. Addressing climate change is more than SDG 13 for SIDS, it is a precursor for achieving all the SDGs as it adversely affects all areas of our sustainable development. For SIDS, there is no development prospects if we do not sensibly address climate change. SIDS therefore have no other recourse but to be at the forefront of the climate change discussions, and we continue to do our part domestically but comprehensively addressing adaptation in any of our countries is not within the remit of our own limited resources. Our calls to the international community is simple and straightforward – step up. Be ambitious, not only in word but in deed; provide the means of implementation needed for vulnerable countries to survive; act in a manner that guarantees all of us a future, not just those who can afford one. As we look forward to the Secretary-General’s Climate Summit in September, we continue our appeal to all countries to meet the commitments under the Paris Agreement, to place science at the heart of our action and to commit to a world that we can recognise.
