The recognition of the special circumstances of Small Islands Developing States is a key position of Pacific islands delegations at the biodiversity negotiations now underway at 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) in Montreal, Canada.  More than 190 governments are collectively working on new biodiversity targets to be achieved by 2030 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

There are 22 new targets on the table for negotiation.  While the Pacific Small Islands Developing States work to ensure our needs are reflected in our priority target areas, we are also negotiating to ensure recognition of the special circumstances of SIDS is included in as many of the different target statements as possible in the new post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

“The special circumstances of SIDS and for our Pacific Small Islands Developing States is so crucial and fundamental to COP15 and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Our small islands are home to some rarest biodiversity there is, so the stakes are high for us,” said H.E Satyendra Prasad, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

“There would be no need for any special reference to the SIDS if we were able to achieve biodiversity protection on our own, but we need help.  As one of the most exposed regions to the impacts of climate change, we need a helping hand from our developed countries.  We need global solidarity in this to ensure biodiversity can be protected and conserved for our Small Islands States and the planet as a whole.”

The consistent amplification of the voice of SIDS to insert the special recognition of our SIDS has been strong at COP15.  This will strengthen the level of support and resourcing that will be provided to our Pacific islands Parties to the CBD.

It will ensure recognition of our vulnerabilities and the need for extra support and assistance to help us protect and conserve our natural resources and biodiversity. Globally there are around 465,000 islands, but they only comprise 5.3% of the Earth’s terrestrial area. Unfortunately, 75% of reptile, bird, amphibian and mammal extinctions have occurred on islands. The Pacific SIDS are amongst the most vulnerable in the world.  They are home to three of the 35 global biodiversity hotspots with a high number of endemic species.

“The Asia-Pacific Region is home to communities and ecosystems with unique vulnerabilities with regard to biodiversity loss.  There are more than 20 island developing nations. The Preamble to the CBD Convention explicitly acknowledges the special conditions of Small Island Developing States. Hence there are special needs for capacity development and resourcing,” stated Ms Gwen Sisior from Palau on behalf of the Asia Pacific Group at CBD COP15.

“We note the work undertaken by the Secretariat on the Programme of Work on Island Biodiversity; however, we emphasise the need to directly address the means of implementation of this programme, and to consider the unique characteristics and vulnerabilities of SIDS.

The combined Exclusive Economic Zones of Pacific Island countries and territories comprise over 10% of the world’s ocean providing vital ecosystem services valued in many billions of dollars and underpinning economic sustainability in the region.   Protecting and conserving our biodiversity is of crucial significance.

“As a Small Islands Developing State, we know how important it is that we maintain the special circumstances of SIDS in the final outcome statement. We live in the world's largest ocean, collectively our Pacific islands region is only 2% land and 98% ocean,” said Dr Josie Tamate of Niue.

“We are rich in biodiversity, it is this that has sustained our livelihoods, underpins our cultural traditions and is the basis of our way of life. There is so much that is unique and special about our islands, and we must have that recognised in all final outcomes from the CBD COP15 to help us achieve the targets that we sign on to.”