The smallness and the remoteness of the SIDS continue to pose serious problems in providing international aid and enhancing foreign investments, he said at the opening of the five- day meeting to review the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the sustainable development of SIDS. Projects and programmes in many cases are not viable when targeted for specific countries. On the other hand, when SIDS band together to integrate their economies and meet common challenges, many of the social, economic and human development projects and programmes could prove viable and yield better results. I therefore urge the small island developing countries to increase their efforts to hasten the pace of regional economic integration, he said.

The importance of tourism for the further development of SIDS was also underscored by Chowdhury. Tourism can stimulate other sectors like eco-tourism, water management, coastal zone management and the development of parks and protected areas. Tourism has a distinct multiplier effect on the lives of its inhabitants, particularly in small island nations. Moreover, he noted that the decisions articulated during the meeting would help stakeholders navigate the course of multi-lateral co-operation. But if we are to make meaningful headway with the Barbados Programme, if we are to tackle the new and emerging issues that now confront the SIDS and if we are determined to put these most vulnerable countries on a surer path to sustainable development, then the priorities that are set in Mauritius must not only be realistic and achievable, but should command the full and genuine support of the international community.

During the opening statements, Cosmos Zavazava, Head of the Unit for Least Developed Countries and Chief of Business Development in the International Telecommunication Union said that the four key themes that could address the subject of smart solutions for promoting sustainable development for small island states were vision, innovation, policy-making, and networking. He believed what was needed was a renewed, forward-looking vision that went beyond the meeting, that was realistic and pragmatic, and could easily benefit the SIDS. Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said that 15 years ago SIDS were self-reliant in the area of food, but now food security was a problem for them. Today, more than half of the SIDS were importing more than 95 per cent of their grains and cereals. When counting dairy and other products, more than half of the calories consumed by SIDS came from imported food, he said.

Kenneth Barbor of the International Hydrographic Organisation said that the SIDS were extremely dependent on the ocean, which dwarfed the terrestrial land they possessed. He said their future was dependent on the good stewardship and sustainable development of the ocean, because it dominated their trade, tourism, food supply, health, natural resources, heritage, and culture.

Representative of the Caribbean Policy Development Centre, Gordon Bispham, said that the task of the meeting was to build consensus, realise financial resources, and agree on technical assistance and co-operation agreements.R