Speaking on behalf of AOSIS at the closing session of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting for the nineteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-19), the Maldives commented on the Chairperson's draft negotiating document that was released on March 4, 2011, for consideration at CSD-19 in May 2011.
The Maldives took the opportunity to remind the Parties that the CSD is the monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the BPOA and the MSI. In this regard, concern was noted that the draft negotiating text did not incorporate any AOSIS provisions on the means of implementation for the areas of finance, technology, and capacity building.
Regarding transport, it was pointed out that geographical and locational constraints cause diseconomies of scale in trade, communication, and shipping, which negatively impact SIDS' prospects for sustainable development. Addressing these challenges requires immediate and substantial international and institutional support.
Following from the above, the shortcomings in institutional support were elaborated on, particularly the lack of specificity and operational targets in the BPoA and MSI for assessing implementation, achievement of baselines, and progress towards goals, and called for these shortcomings to be addressed in the negotiating text. The intention to comment further on specific thematic areas during the course of the negotiations was also stated.
The statement was delivered by Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Maldives to the United Nations, New York. The Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting for CSD-19 is ongoing from Monday, February 28, to Friday, March 4, 2011.
