13 September 2010: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has agreed by consensus to refer a draft outcome document (document A/64/L.68) to the high-level review meeting on the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) (MSI+5).

MSI+5 is scheduled to be held on 24-25 September 2010, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. In the draft outcome document, the Heads of State and Government, Ministers and representatives of Member States gathered at the high-level meeting will acknowledge that climate change and sea-level rise continue to threaten SIDS and their efforts to achieve sustainable development. They will further emphasize the need for considering and addressing the issue of climate change, including its possible security implications for SIDS.

They will also call on: States to take urgent global action to address climate change in accordance with the principles identified in the Convention, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities; the international community to continue to enhance its support for the development and implementation of SIDS national climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and programmes, as well as to facilitate regional and interregional cooperation; and the international community to enhance support for SIDS’ adaptation efforts, including through the provision of dedicated sources of financing, capacity building and the transfer of appropriate technologies. MSI+5 partcipants will also recognize that the increased intensity of disasters, including those due to climate change, impede SIDS’ progress towards sustainable development. And they will indicate that the UNFCCC is the primary international, intergovernmental forum for negotiating the global response to climate change.

The UNGA also adopted by consensus a related decision (document A/64/L.71), which outlines the modalities for MSI+5. Based on this decision, two round-table sessions will focus on, respectively, “reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening resilience of SIDS,” and enhancing international support for SIDS. [UNGA Press Release] [Draft Outcome Document] [Document on the Modalities of MSI+5]