Support each other if you want fair treatment from larger countries

Asserting that the survival of the region’s natural resources was heavily dependent on collaboration among the smaller developing nations, President George Maxwell Richards yesterday called on these nations to support each other in the search for fair treatment by larger countries which have a greater impact on world flora. “Sustainable development and the responsible use of the Caribbean’s renewable resources is the business of us all,” he said, as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 2004 Regional Symposium on the Sustainable Use of Renewable Resources at the Hilton Hotel.

Defining sustainable development as development that meets the needs of today’s generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, President Richards explained that while global inequities persisted, small island developing states (SIDS) remained vulnerable and stood very little chance of ensuring sustainable development of their natural resources. “In spite of the ideals conceived in the context of globalisation, polarisation seems to be taking centre stage, to the detriment of countries of the South,” he maintained. “Unless there is a renewed global commitment to sustainable development the world will see, increasingly, areas of conflict manifested in divisions between countries of the North and those of the South,” he added.

President Richards expressed his belief that sustainable development was a key factor in the provision of economic and social benefits to poor developing nations. If denied, he stated, resentments would inevitably arise, threatening the peace and security within national borders and extra-territorially. Sustainable development, he continued, could not be achieved without strong partnerships among and within countries, as well as through active participation of groups within civil society, including the business sector. “Political will must be buttressed by civil society in order to achieve effective collaboration in the implementation of policy decisions,” he stated, noting however, that policy decisions which ignored the integrative approach were liable to fail.

He said, “sustainable development must embrace the social, economic and environmental aspects of development and a central position must be accorded the reduction of poverty.” Since the rural poor depended on land and water resources for their livelihood, policy decisions regarding these resources should take into account the needs to the poor who are affected by deforestation, poor water management and land degradation, he stressed. He called for greater community involvement to assist in the formulation and implementation of strategies to alleviate poverty related circumstances.