The Mauritius Strategy.The vulnerabilities of small islands were at the centre of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development Sustainable development is a socio-ecological process characterized by the fulfilment of human needs while maintaining the quality of the natural environment indefinitely. The linkage between environment and development was globally recognized in 1980, when the International Union of Small Island Developing States According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, small island/developing states (SIDS) are low-lying coastal countries that share similar sustainable development challenges, including small population, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility , held at Port Louis Port Louis, city (1996 est. pop. 135,371), capital of Mauritius, NW Mauritius, a port on the Indian Ocean. It is the nation's largest city and its economic and administrative center. , Mauritius, from 10 to 14 January 2005. The Meeting concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Mauritius Strategy and the Mauritius Declaration. The Mauritius Strategy, extending the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action, emphasizes that small island developing States (SIDS SIDS sudden infant death syndrome. SIDS abbr. sudden infant death syndrome SIDS, n See syndrome, sudden infant death. ) "are located among the most vulnerable regions in the world in relation to the intensity and frequency of natural and environmental disasters and their increasing impact, and face disproportionately high economic, social and environmental consequences". The Mauritins Strategy recognizes that "most small island developing States, as a result of their smallness, persistent structural disadvantages and vulnerabilities, face specific difficulties in integrating into the global economy". It also recognizes "the importance of intensifying in·ten·si·fy v. in·ten·si·fied, in·ten·si·fy·ing, in·ten·si·fies v.tr. 1. To make intense or more intense: efforts to facilitate the full and effective participation" by SIDS in the deliberations and decision-making process of the World Trade Organization. The Mauritius Declaration stresses that international trade is important for building resilience and the sustainable development of SIDS, and calls upon international organizations, including financial institutions, to "pay appropriate attention to the structural disadvantages" of SIDS. On climate change, the Mauritius Strategy indicates that SIDS "believe that they are already experiencing major adverse effects of climate change" and that "adaptation to adverse impacts of climate change and sea-level rise remains a major priority" for them. It calls upon the international community to promote "increased energy efficiency and development and use of renewable energy Renewable energy utilizes natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished. Renewable energy technologies range from solar power, wind power, and hydroelectricity to biomass and biofuels for transportation. as a matter of priority, as well as advanced and cleaner fossil fuel fossil fuel: see energy, sources of; fuel. fossil fuel Any of a class of materials of biologic origin occurring within the Earth's crust that can be used as a source of energy. Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. technologies", through public and private partnerships, market-oriented approaches and supportive public policies and international cooperation. |
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