1. Small Island Developing States and Energy The Barbados Programme of Action Espen Ronneberg Inter-regional Advisor for SIDS Division for Sustainable Development DESA, United Nations Nicosia Cyprus www.sidsnet.org

2. The relevance of BPOA SIDS cooperated in framing an international agenda for sustainable development in SIDS, the Barbados Program of Action, which includes issues such as –Climate Change –Energy –Biodiversity –Coastal and Marine Resources –Sustainable Tourism –Trade

3. CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF THE SIDS UNIT

4. Two Key Roles The SIDS Unit is charged with coordinating UN system wide efforts at implementing the Barbados Program of Action Assisting SIDS with key issues identified in consultations with AOSIS

5. Activities to date Donor/SIDS Conference Feb. 1999 –Brought together representatives to discuss possible projects and funding 22nd Special Session of the General Assembly AOSIS workshops on climate change and on biosafety convened

6. Internet-based Services SIDSNet is now an integrated part of the SIDS Unit, with a range of services –Mirrored sites, such as SPREP, USP, UNDP Trinidad and Tobago, UNDP Mauritius, SOPAC, and others AOSIS Web Pages Information on the workshops and reports

7. Capacity Building Workshops AOSIS has stressed the need to build capacity in a number of negotiations related areas, starting with climate change –This is the third climate change workshop –Capacity is developed through the discussions, debates and materials disseminated –Common positions are agreed upon for recommendation to AOSIS negotiators

8. What does BPOA tell us? The energy resources of SIDS must be developed in a sustainable manner –bearing in mind the economic obstacles –finding the most practical solutions for that locale SIDS are recognized as a special case for financing –must find ways to institutionalize

9. Key issues for the workshop

10. Three key outputs AOSIS common positions for CSD9 –to be negotiated as a group AOSIS project development –National and regional projects to be advocated as solutions at CSD9 AOSIS common positions for climate change negotiations related to energy

11. Requirements for success Strong and active participation in the workshop and working groups Significant improvements in the details to be negotiated at CSD9 Pragmatic and practical ideas for inclusion in the workshop report

12. Assistance from SIDS Unit AOSIS Decision Support System –A closed decision support system on SIDSNet –Capacity building training for AOSIS Experts Database –Online database of SIDS experts/professionals on SIDSNet - by region and by expertise –Remote data upload, remote management and search by country or sectoral expertise or both

13. Assistance (continued) Climate Change issues exchange –Experiences from the country teams –Information on project proposals or current activities, especially on adaptation, research, SIDS friendly technologies Experts Database –SIDS experts can be used for projects and advice –Advisory function improves information flows across regions and within countries

14. Demand side management Win-win opportunities exist Possible projects could be implemented in residential heating and cooling Energy efficient appliances Power generation and distribution

15. Supply side management Energy needs will increase, hence adjust Waste to energy represents significant source of energy Alternative uses of existing resources through eg. solar energy Cogeneration Innovative application of new technologies such as OTEC

16. The Bottom Line Be aware of the limitations and constraints –high level of needs, low capacity to absorb, etc. –UN system can only contribute part of financing SIDS need to invest in and promote renewable energy technology –through national energy policies or through national budgets AOSIS can contribute much to CSD –partnerships, cooperation with donors, NGOs, etc.

17. Thank you www.sidsnet.org