20 December 2010: In a plenary session held on 20 December 2010, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Report of its Second Committee on sustainable development (65/436), which includes two draft resolutions on the sustainable development of small island developing States (SIDS) (65/155-156), and one on climate protection with specific mentions of SIDS (65/159).

Adopting the annual text titled “Towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations,” regarding the Secretary-General’s report on the topic (65/301), the Assembly: recognizes that the Caribbean Sea is an area of unique biodiversity and a highly fragile ecosystem and requires the sustainable conservation and management of coastal and marine resources; calls for assistance to the region to protect it from degradation as a result of pollution from ships and illegal dumping or accidental release of hazardous waste; calls on States to develop programmes to halt the loss of marine biodiversity in the Caribbean Sea, in particular fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves; and calls on States to strengthen their emergency response capabilities and the containment of environmental damage in the event of natural disasters or incidents relating to maritime navigation.

The Assembly also adopted a resolution titled “Follow-up to and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS,” which urges implementation of the 25 September 2010 outcome document of the High-level Review meeting on the Mauritius Strategy (MSI). The resolution further: calls for support for SIDS’ efforts to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change; calls for cooperation through the Inter-agency Consultative Group on SIDS to advance the MSI; stresses the need to provide the SIDS Unit with adequate, stable and predictable funding and staffing; and recognizes the importance of North-South cooperation, complemented by South-South cooperation, cooperation among SIDS and triangular cooperation, for the effective implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA) and the MSI.

In another annual text, titled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind,” the UNGA recognizes that “climate change poses serious risks and challenges to all countries, particularly developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries, SIDS and countries in Africa, including those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.” It further calls on States to take “urgent global action” to address climate change in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and other principles identified in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). [Report of Second Committee on Sustainable Development] [Addendum on Follow-up to MSI for SIDS (A/65/436/Add.2)] [Report of Secretary-General on Sustainable Development of Caribbean Sea] [Addendum on Protection of Global Climate (A/65/436/Add.4)] [Resolution on Follow-up to MSI (Resolution (A/RES/65/156)]