Statement by
The Maldives on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
at the Second Drafting session on Financing for Development
On Domestic Public Finance
13 April 2015
Co-Facilitators,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). The Group aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
On the section on domestic public finance of the zero draft of the Addis Ababa Accord, we have the following observations.
1. First and foremost, for many Small Island Developing States, while domestic resource mobilization will be a priority, it is not a substitute for international public finance.
2. SIDS face a number of vulnerabilities which directly impact its ability to mobilize domestic resources, including smallness, narrow resource base, remoteness from markets, diseconomies of scale, lack of resources and limited negotiation capacity. These realities must be recognised throughout this section.
3. Reforming international financial and monetary systems to recognize these deficiencies, is a priority, as is mobilizing them to build capacity in SIDS. Partner nations and agencies must take into account the specific needs and circumstances of small islands in their fiscal policy formulation.
Co-Facilitators,
Specifically in this section, AOSIS supports the need to monitor, control and survey fishing vessels so as to effectively eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices. The fisheries industry represents substantial investments for many SIDS and its protection is vital to many of our citizen’s livelihoods.
The Group further supports the inclusion of the necessity to invest in social services, including health care and education for all peoples, especially vulnerable populations.
Co-Facilitators,
We look forward to contributing specific proposals with regard to the above, in textual negotiations. Thank you.
