Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development in SIDS

1. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BPOA AND THE MAURITIUS STRATEGY FOR THE FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BPOA CONSTANCE VIGILANCE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT 4 APRIL 2012

2. Rio +20 • Themes – • (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and • (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development. The focus of this presentation is the institutional framework for sustainable development in SIDS

3. PRESENTATION OUTLINE BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE AND STATUS OF MAURITIUS STRATEGY EVOLUTION OF SIDS PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THE NEED FOR A NEW INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES OF THE PROPOSED REGIONAL MECHANISM MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE INSTITUTIONS ATTHE INTERNATIONAL REGION

4. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Outlines a proposal for an institutional framework at the global and regional level to support SIDS The political and policy context for the proposal Highlights the reasons for a technical regional mechanism in each SIDS region Proposes a structure that represents the consensus reached by SIDS officials attending the Commonwealth course on the International Architecture for Environment and sustainable development (Pacific – 8; Caribbean-11; AIMS-29; ComSec -4)

5. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT • A key provision of Chapter 17(G) in Agenda 21 (The sustainable development of small island developing states) called for the strengthening of inter-island regional and interregional cooperation and information exchange, including periodic regional and global meetings • This led to the first global conference on the sustainable development of SIDS in 1994 in Barbados and the BPOA • outlined 15 programme areas as a framework for implementing actions to facilitate the sustainable development of SIDS • underscored the vulnerabilities of SIDS • outlined the responsibilities of SIDS for their sustainable development and the assistance needed from the international community • The 2005 Mauritius strategy strengthened the social and economic dimensions of the BPOA – trade, smooth transition from LDC status

6. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

7. STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF BPOA AND MSI • Triangular approach to implementation at the national, regional and international levels • International levels – SIDS Unit, UNDESA , 1995– main institutional output of the 1994 UN conference on the sustainable development of SIDS • Regional levels – • Atlantic Indian Ocean Mediterranean South China Seas (AIMS) region : the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is the de facto regional implementation entity – currently implementing an EU funded SIDS project • Pacific region: the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is the de facto regional implementation entity – a number of the SPREP’s programme areas fall within the BPOA and MSI

8. STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF BPOA AND MSI • Caribbean region • 1995 Joint coordinating mechanism of CARICOM ,UNECLAC and Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee • 2006 Regional Coordinating Mechanism for the MSI • Regional level implementation need strengthening - Jan 2011 UN resolution 65/156 which highlights the need for inter alia: • timely action for the effective implementation of the MSI • Cooperation among SIDS • The need to increase the level of resources

9. Evolution of SIDS participation in international environmental and sustainable development • Four phases: • Obscurity – prior to 1992 , little knowledge of the sustainable development priorities of SIDS • Recognition and acceptance – Chapter 17(G) of Agenda 21, 1994 Barbados conference , the BPOA, MSI, the sustainable development priorities of SIDS are recognised and international agreement reached • Consolidation phase - requires • an institutional structure, which caters to the needs and sustainable development priorities of SIDS, • concrete actions at the national and regional levels, • adequate and predicable financial support, • sound scientific research • capacity development and technology transfer • Designation - SIDS as a special category,

10. Rio 2012: An Opportunity Time for Reviewing the Institutional Framework for the Sustainable Development of SIDS “ [...] any framework which evolves under the theme “Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development” must be designed in a manner so as to provide a clear institutional mechanism, to address, in a concrete and focused manner, the sustainable development of the most vulnerable countries (i.e. SIDS and LDCs), at the global and regional levels. Such a mechanism provides, inter alia, a context forenhanced UN coherence; the facilitation of adequate and predictable “Support” financial resources to facilitate transition to sustainable green economies, given the financial gap which exists on most of these countries as well as commitment to capacity development and technology transfer, underpinned by sound science” [Emphasis added] Thirty Seventh Meeting Committee of Trade and Development of the Caribbean Community (COTED), September 2011

11. COTED DECESION: PROVIDING THE CONTEXT Using the decision of COTED as the context, a simulation exercise of Rio 2012 was undertaking independently of each other in the three SIDS regions. AIMS Region, November 2011 Pacific Region, December 2011 Caribbean Region, January 2012 What is being presented is an accurate indication of the results of that simulation, to address what SIDS Nationals themselves perceive to be the problem and the solution to that problem,

12. EMPHASIS OF THE PROPOSAL 1. Enhancing regional Implementation in each of the SIDS regions as a basis for strengthening Inter-SIDS Collaboration 2. Enhancing Intra-Regional SIDS Collaboration Between the SIDS Regions: AIMS, Caribbean and Pacific Both of these areas have been identified as weaknesses in the Implementation of the BPOA and the MS/BPOA 3. The role of AOSIS as the voice of SIDS and enhancing its effectiveness by strengthening technical input from the SIDS Regions Currently technical inputs from the SIDS regions shaping AOSIS negotiating positions is non-existent. Absence of an effective institutional mechanism at the Regional level. Exception is probably the Pacific.

13. THE NEED FOR AN ENHANCED INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK • The global mechanism needs to be supported by three autonomous inter-governmental, regional, technical arms in each of the three SIDS regions • Implementation of the regional/intra-regional dimensions of the BPOA and MSI has been weak i.e. Small Island Developing States Technical Assistance Programme (SIDS/TAP) • The lack of a strong regional technical mechanism to implement the BPOA and MSI – called for at the Oct 2003 Caribbean Prepcom , Feb 2005 16th Communique of CARICOM Heads of Government • A more structured and systematic technical and legal analyses from the three SIDS regions needed to strengthen and expand the SIDS negotiating mechanism – AOSIS • SIDS interest with respect to resource mobilisation, modalities for the identification and access to environmentally sound technologies

14. AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED REGIONAL MECHANISM • OVERALL AIMS: • Provide a inter-governmental structure for the implementation of the BPOA and MSI • Provide a platform for inter- and intra- regional collaboration between SIDS in the various SIDS region • Implement the regional dimension of the BPOA and MSI [Small Island Developing States Technical Assistance Programme (SIDS/TAP) • Facilitate interaction, coordination and complementarity in the BPOA and MSI at the national and regional levels • Enhance cooperation, coherence and coordination at the international levels including through liaising with the UN Inter-agency consultative group (UN IACG)

15. AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED REGIONAL MECHANISM • OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE • Technical advisory services: facilitate implementation, policy studies, project formulation, project proposals • Inter and Intra-regional collaboration and coordination: facilitate technical collaboration, regional cooperation in training, research and policy formulation, development of partnerships • Formulating common positions and bridging the gap between regional and international levels: support AOSIS, facilitating SIDS inputs, bridging the gap with national and regional needs and at the international level • Public awareness and education • Resource mobilisation • Monitoring and evaluation

16. MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE An executive body – to provide overall policy guidance. Comprises the executive arm of government - Ministers with responsibility for economic, social and environmental sectors A high level advisory group – provide advisory services to the executive body, bridging the gap between the executive commission and the secretariat. Comprises key stakeholders including academia, civil society and the private sector The Secretariat – the focal point within the SIDS regions for the implementation of the BPOA and MSI, facilitate achieving the various objectives. Comprise a multinational staff employed from the respective SIDS regions

17. MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE Ad hoc technical and scientific working groups: provide scientific and technical guidance to the Secretariat to ensure greater synergies between the three pillars of sustainable development. Comprise major groups Regional organisations: involved in programme development for the Secretariat, facilitate complementarities National coordinator/national mechanism: Each SIDS country would be required to establish a mechanism, serve as the national focal point for interface across the regions as well as with various agencies in the country

18. MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE • The form of the regional mechanism which functions autonomously: • AIMS: nesting the mechanism within the IOC or one of the universities in the regions e.g. the university of Seychelles • Pacific : SPREP considered the most appropriate institution • Caribbean : CARICOM and/or the UWI Institute for Sustainable development • Financing • On a cost sharing basis • Host institution providing physical space • Operational costs funded by the UN as part of the funding for the SIDS Secretariat/whatever is agreed • Establishing a financing mechanism • Donors

19. INTERNATIONAL LEVEL • Establishment of a SIDS Commission in the General Secretariat of the UN • Creation of a SIDS sustainability secretariat • Strengthening of the IACG • Strengthening SIDS international negotiating mechanism –AOSIS • Establishment of a SIDS/small states trust fund to facilitate implementing of the BPOA and MSI

20. INTERNATIONAL LEVEL • AOSIS • In existence for 20 years but organisational structure remains weak • A loosely connected coalition without any formal structure • AOSIS proposals • Establishment of a AOSIS Secretariat to support the operations of AOSIS • Formulation of operational guidelines to facilitate inter-alia day to day operations and structured inputs • Establishment of formal structured linkages between the proposed technical secretariats and AOSIS

22. Conclusion UNGA resolution 65/156 highlighted the deficiencies of the implementation of the BPOA and MSI and the need for greater linkages between AOSIS and the SIDS regions This proposed framework is the first attempt to design a regional institutional framework for the BPOA and MSI The institutional framework presented was formulated following consultations with officials from all three SIDS regions It forms the basis for SIDS negotiations leading to Rio 2012 If implemented, the institutional framework would significantly enhance the implementation of the BPOA and MSI

23. THANK YOU