7 September 2010: The Vice-President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has transmitted a summary of the 20-21 July 2010 ECOSOC debate on the review of UN support for small island developing States (SIDS) to the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The summary was circulated prior to the High-Level Review of the 65th session of the GA (24-25 September) to assess progress made in addressing the vulnerabilities of SIDS through the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS (MSI+5).

The summary, contained in document A/65/352, includes a synopsis of the panel discussion under the theme of “Opportunities for SIDS,” which explored potential opportunities in the agricultural, energy and service sectors for SIDS, with a view toward building resilience as they confront climate change and the fall-out of the economic and financial crisis.

The summary also provides a synopsis of the interactive debate focused on potential future initiatives and the role of the UN in promoting the development of SIDS, as well as the need for special consideration of SIDS in the UN system. [ECOSOC debate summary]