27 May 2016, Ankara, Turkey:"Graduation is not an end – but a beginning. It should be embraced – not feared," stated the Maldives at the Midterm Review of the Istanbul Programme of Action on LDCs. Throwing light on its own experience, when it graduated from LDC status in 2011, the Maldives spoke of the inherent challenges of small island developing states (SIDS) because of structural vulnerabilities.
Speaking at the High Level Event, H.E Mr. Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative of the Maldives, shared his country's experience, being one of the very few that have been able to graduate from the UN List of LDCs. Six days after the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly decided to graduate Maldives in 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami hit the island. Nearly 62% of the GDP was destroyed, hundreds internally displaced, and social and economic infrastructure was severely damaged. Reflecting thus on the fragility and unpredictability faced by SIDS like Maldives, Mr. Sareer observed that due to this tragic incident, the people of Maldives may never "stop feeling vulnerable to the slightest natural disaster occurring anywhere within the bounds of the Indian Ocean rim".
Observing that although the UN has endorsed the concept of smooth transition previously, much work remains to implement and strengthen it. Ambassador Sareer closed by noting that in order to implement the 2030 Agenda, the international community must be united in its efforts to help LDCs build resilience to economic, ecological and other external shocks.
The High Level Mid-Term Review of the Istanbul Programme Programme of Action is taking place five years after its adoption, from 27-29 May 2016 in Antalya, Turkey.
ENDS
