The President noted that SIDS must create a framework that provides a platform for concrete action, and that this involves the partnership of larger nations that influence the global development agenda.
"SIDS have the smallest populations, the smallest carbon footprints, the smallest trading impact. The development of SIDS is the barometer of sustainable development. We want to make more progress towards sustainability, but we can only do so if others – especially the bigger and more powerful nations of this world – partner with us in this venture. In terms of sustainability of our planet we may best assess our progress, or lack of it, by looking at SIDS. And frankly, we are not satisfied with what we see! " said the President during his opening address.
Furthermore, Mr. Michel outlined the four key messages that need to be taken to the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa, in 2014;
1. We want a fair deal for SIDS. A fair deal for SIDS translates into a fair deal for our planet. And a indeed a fair deal for humanity. .. A fair deal for SIDS means a truly sustainable governance structure for oceans.
2. The Blue Economy is our shared opportunity, and our shared responsibility.... Sustainability for islands is all about our ability to use our oceanic space as opportunities for development.
3. Islands are at risk of being simultaneously disconnected from the benefits of the global economy, while also remaining the most vulnerable to the globalised economy.... Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are critical for SIDS to be able to leverage new spaces for economic development, as well as new resources to ensure protection of sensitive areas.
4. The strengthening of regional partnerships is one of the keys to maximise the potential of SIDS.... As leaders, we must use existing networks, and also create new ones whereby we give our young people opportunities to define the governance of our planet
In relation to the fourth message, President Michel urged the Preparatory Meeting participants to foster inter-island youth initiatives that will ensure that in the future of they continue to share ideas and mobilise resources for the SIDS causes.
" In this context, an important partnership we must foster is connecting the young people from islands across the world. I am pleased to note the input of the young representatives from the AIMS region who met in Seychelles last week with the support of UNESCO. Their ideas will be submitted to our conference. Earlier this year I spoke about the need to have a regional youth initiative and within the Indian Ocean Commission, we are determined to foster a stronger network among our young people. The opportunities for tomorrow will not be defined by any national boundaries. Our young people are already more than aware of this."
Furthermore, President Michel spoke about the diverse opportunities in the development of the blue economy including new energy possibilities, biodiversity conservation, climate change adaption, and providing increased food security, in order to fight against climate change, build new trade links, as well as creating a sustainable space for tourism.
"We are bound together by the Blue Economy, a theme that brings together the issues that matter most to SIDS. We are bound together by our oceanic space. And this oceanic space is also one which provides for the sustainability of our planet. It connects islands. It connects continents. It connects us to each other. We look forward to further explore these connections with you over the next three days," said the President during his opening address.
Other prominent speakers during the opening ceremony were; Seychelles Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet, the Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Ambassador Marlene Moses who is also Permanent represent of Nauru to the United Nations, and the UN Under Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, who is also the Secretary General to the SIDS Conference, Mr. Wu Hongbo.
Editor's Note
• There are three regional preparatory meetings to prepare for the Samoa conference- one for the Pacific, one for the Caribbean, and one for the AIMS region in Seychelles.
• The Samoa Conference is a follow up to the Barbados Plan of Action (BPOA) agreed in Barbados in 1994- the first specific conference on SIDS, and the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation (MSI) of 2005, which was the second conference- which was attended by President Michel.
• Seychelles also hosted the preparatory meeting for the Rio+20 Summit in 2011, whereby many of the initiatives put forward by Seychelles, led to the decision in Rio in 2012 of the necessity to have the Third Conference on SIDS in Samoa in 2014.
• Mr. Michel has spoken about the need to elaborate a regional youth integration concept within the framework of the Indian Ocean Commission during his State of the Nation Address this year, as he had noted; 'The Seychellois youth are an integral link in our economic development strategy, and also our strategy of active economic diplomacy.'