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Report on SIDS discussion from Civil Society Organizations – Input for the

third UN SIDS Conferenc e in Samoa – 6 August 2014

Introduction - Context of SIDS (Small Island Developing States)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first United Nations global conference on Small Island Developing States in

Barbados, and this year has also been declared, the International Year of Small Island Developing States. Therefore,

there is a global concern and momentum towards the SIDS discussion.

Small Island Developing States, comprise 39 independent Small Island states globally. They share common

characteristics, to name only three1:

Small geographic area

Dependence of the economy on a few sources of income

Low level of resilience against natural disasters

The major important events in the total timeline of Small Island Developing States2:

1992 –Recognition of a special group of states that share common characteristics as mentioned below,

the Small Island Developing States

1994 – UN Global Conference on SIDS in Barbados. Result is the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA)

2005 – International meeting in Mauritius to discuss the BPOA. The meeting adopts the Mauritius

Strategy and Mauritius Declaration

2014 – The third International conference on SIDS in Samoa

The following national priorities have been documented in a SIDS national report for Suriname, produced in

the period June – July 2013 (by A. Tjon Sie Fat). These priorities have also been discussed in a powerpoint

presentation, see appendix 3.

National Priorities for Suriname

On the basis of the frameworks and criteria formulated and used during the stakeholder consultation

workshop on 19 June 2013, eight national priorities were initially identified for Suriname:

1. Agriculture and food security

2. Natural resources management, incl. fisheries management and oceans governance

3. Water resources management

4. Energy, incl. renewable energy and energy efficiency

5. Climate change and sea level rise

6. Biodiversity conservation

1http://www.un.org/en/events/islands2014/didyouknow.shtml

2http://www.un.org/en/events/islands2014/smallislands.shtml

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7. Waste management and chemicals management

8. Sustainable tourism

Why is Civil Society Organization participation important for sustainable development in SIDS?

In August 2013 there was a Caribbean Civil Society Consultative discussion in Barbados, out of which a

discussion paper was published with the following highlights:3

CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) have always played a role in the development of Caribbean

communities, though traditionally that role was limited mainly to community volunteer efforts. Over

the past three decades, the characteristics and work of the civil society sectorin the Caribbean has

evolved, particularly since, and in line with, the evolution of the global environment and development

agenda.

This discussion papers identifies a number of actions intended to address key issues in the BPOA

(Barbados Plan of Action) and MSI (Mauritius Strategy of Implementation). In particular, it is identifies

increased engagement of civil society as critical to the process.

Suriname however, did not participate at this discussion. It is important for Suriname Civil Society

Organization (CSO) to contribute to regional and global discussions, so we can exchange ideas and lessons with

the other SIDS. The Small Grants Programme wants to enable this discussion and support Civil Society

Organizations and Community Based Organizations to play a role in the national SIDS agenda. This first SIDS

discussion facilitated by SGP Suriname was intended to inform key CSOs and CBOs (Community Based

Organizations) on SIDS (what is it, why the momentum) and to enable an initial discussion with the target

group.

This event took place on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 with a group of key stakeholders and grantees (see

appendix 1 for the list of attendees). We hope that this report can support the government’s representation in

Samoa with useful input from the Civil Society Sector regarding the SIDS priority areas. A list of attendees can

be found attached to this report.

3http://www.sids2014.org/index.php?page=view&type=66&nr=5771&menu=1494&template=854

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SIDS discussion notes and outcomes

August 06, 2014

Paramaribo, Suriname

Introduction

At the start of the meeting everyone present briefly introduced themselves and their organization. The Deputy

Regional Representative for the UNDP Suriname Office, Armstrong Alexis, gave a brief welcome introduction

to all the participants. He expressed his hope that after the discussion everyone will have a better

understanding of what SIDS is, why Suriname is a SIDS, and why an accelerated focus on SIDS. Suriname is

considered a SIDS on the basis of the criteria mentioned before: low lying coast line, major dependency upon

a few sources of income. There are other countries like Suriname, such as Guyana, that is also considered a

SIDS. For Suriname off course, the CO2 emissions are almost negligible when compared with large industrial

countries. Therefore, climate change resilience and adaptation is a more realistic topic then reducing CO2

emissions.

Afterwards, Cedric Nelom (the national focal point for SIDS in Suriname, as well as the deputy director for the

National Institute for Environment), gave a short review of the definition of a SIDS and why Suriname is

considered a SIDS. The SIDS process on an international, regional, and the national level was also presented.

He briefly went through the discussions at the BPOA, Mauritius, and the modalities set for the S.A.M.O.A.

meeting. The powerpoint slides are attached as appendix 3.

A short discussion followed this presentation. Some key points that were brought forth:

- Effective communication is key in the SIDS process, especially between the Government, local

governance, and the communities themselves.

- A number of the participants expressed that this is the first time they have heard of SIDS and

Suriname’s participation in the UN SIDS agenda on an international level.

- The participants would like to know what has been captured in the SIDS national document and how it

affects them. What are the actions being taken by the government related to the document?

- Cedric Nelom highlighted the current preparation REDD+ project that has just taken off this year, and is

one of the national strategies to see how Suriname can further protect its tropical rainforest, while at

the same time enabling development for especially the rural communities. The REDD+ document is

one where climate change resilience and adaptation are incorporated, which in turn, are embedded in

the SIDS report.

- It was highlighted that CSOs are also key in any implementation process of SIDS action points. These

kind of meetings are crucial to engage CSOs in sustainable development agenda’s.

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- The realization of the SIDS national report in 2013, does not

directly result in international donor financial commitments,

but does give Suriname the perspectives to discuss her needs and position in international

conferences, such as the upcoming one in Samoa.

Discussion round and outcomes

Prior to the discussion round, the moderator reviewed all the national priorities set in the national SIDS

meeting held in June 2013. She then raised the question to all the participants: how do you see your

organization within the SIDS discussion on sustainable development and how they, as an organization, would

put this forward within their own network/community.

A great deal of the discussions centred around three main areas/issues:

1. Private sector

- Several members from this sector indicated that within all production chains there is corporate

responsibility, and that all companies should be aware of their carbon footprint. Numerous companies

already have setup funds for community projects.

2. Media/Education/Awareness

- Several organizations expressed the need for awareness programs with regards to SIDS and climate

change and adaptation.

- Part of this awareness is directly related to a change in attitude of people/communities towards their

reluctance in resolving environmental issues. This accounts for both communities in the cities, as well

as communities in the interior. We need to reach out to individuals, who are then able to choose for

themselves to make a change, to reduce their carbon footprint.

- Culture is very important in developing media awareness. In Suriname we are very multi-cultural, and

awareness needs to be tailored towards the respective cultures, and in the different languages

3. Community participation

- The representatives from both indigenous community, as well as the tribal community, voiced their

displeasure in how the process of national SIDS has taken place without actual consultation from these

communities. The communities would like to have control over their own sustainable development

plans and work with the government in fitting it within the national strategies for sustainable

development (bottom up approach)

After the discussion round there was a wrap-up of the points that were brought up. These points will be

presented to the SIDS focal point in Suriname.

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1. Awareness programs at the local level should be established to

make people aware of SIDS and help them visualize long term

processes related to climate change and adaptation. Awareness campaigns at the national level should

also be implemented. These programs should be an ongoing process and should lead to a change in

attitude with regards to environmental issues.

2. Capacity strengthening within the communities should be increased to help these communities make

informed decisions on policies related to overall conservation efforts.

3. Implementation and verification of corporate responsibility guidelines by all businesses for a more

green approach and image. Businesses should be able to demonstrate that they adhere to these

guidelines and create a positive attitude towards environmental protection.

4. Complete participation by the focal groups in the SIDS discussion at the national level.

5. Communities should be able to formulate their own views on sustainable development.

6. Recognize that indigenous and tribal communities have their own views and methods on conservation

and sustainable development. As such, the government and other agencies should also recognize that

these communities will have for example alternative documentation methods (no writing on paper,

but perhaps with videos and pictures).

7. Effective communication between the government and the communities, and vice versa, is of

paramount importance to the development of environmental policies. Better communication will also

lead to mutual respect and better leadership.

Overarching themes and keywords: Coordination, partnerships, synergies, respect, leadership.

At the end of the day the following keypoints were noted during the evaluation/wrap up:

1. It is a good initiative to inform CSOs on these issues, particularly because not everyone was aware or had prior

knowledge of SIDS

2. For those CSOs whose project just got approved in the morning (official contract signature for 5 new projects

preceded the SIDS discussion), they were keen to incorporate these issues discussed in their project

3. It was a very interesting mix of different background, from community representatives, to academics, but also

the private sector

4. The CSOs would like to highlight the follow up of this session. SGP Suriname has indicated that there will

certainly be a follow up this year, to inform CSOs and other stakeholders on the outcomes of the Samoa

conference.

5. The Suriname Business Forum representatives indicated that they have the capacity and facilities to bring

together stakeholders from the private sector to engage in the SIDS process.

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Appendix 1 List of attendees SIDS Civil Society Organizations discussion

Organization Name Email Telephone 1 Centre for Agricultural

Research in Suriname Razia Taus r.taus@celos.sr.org 8650033

2 Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname

Jamille Haarloo j.r.haarloo@gmail.com 8975357

3 Suriname Business Centre Kenneth Foe-A-Man Kenneth.fam@suriprint.com 8814043

4 Suriname Business Centre Winston Wielson wwielson@sbc.sr 8548496/449010

5 Suriname Business Centre/Suriname Business Form

Ratan Kalka rkalka@sbc.sr 8833804/499010

6 Foundation Lodgeholders Upper Suriname River (CBO)

Bertus Dinge jangjanman@gmail.com 8841273/7412053

7 Foundation Lodgeholders Upper Suriname River (CBO)

Brigitte Kuchler brigitte.kuechler@upper-suriname.com 8648318

8 Women Business Group Ozelien Booboo osibooboo_11@hotmail.com 8931981

9 Foundation MaSosie (CBO) Rawella Dalh Rawella92.dalh@gmail.com 7199079

10 Foundation MaSosie (CBO) Edgar Eersteling e.e.s.eersteling@hotmail.com 8854649

11 National Womens Movement

Cheryl Sastro saschery@gmail.com 8671565

12 National Zoological Collection Suriname

Usha Satnarain ushasatnarain@hotmail.com 8529991

13 Organization of Indigenous Village Chiefs Suriname (CBO)

Josee Artist joseeartist@yahoo.com 8238244/520130

14 Foundation UCARE Reshmi Bihariesingh ranoeka@gmail.com 8764988/7248592

15 Foundation for Development of Radio & Television in Suriname

Loes Trustfull nelloes@sr.net 8731401

16 Prohealth Jennifer Zuidveen dirprohealth@yahoo.com 432496

17 SGP Suriname Tanja Lieuw t.lieuw@undp.org 420030/421419

18 SGP Suriname Arioene Vreezaam arioenev@unops.org 420030

19 UNDP Suriname intern Yolanda A. Collins Collins_yolanda@ceu-budapest.edu 742-9658

20 UNDP Suriname Ruben Martoredjo ruben.martoredjo@undp.org 420030/421421

21 UN coordination analyst Faranaaz Pahalwankhan Faranaaz.guman-pahalwankhan@one.un.org 420030/421422

22 UNDP Suriname Armstrong Alexis armstrong.alexis@undp.org 420030/421417

23 National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (SIDS Focal Point)

Cedric Nelom cnelom@nimos.org 420030/421423

24 Moderator Anette Tjon Sie Fat annettetsf@gmail.com 420030/421424

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Appendix 2

Agenda of the SIDS Civil Society Organization discussion

Location: UN Conference room, Gonggrijpstraat 25, Paramaribo, Suriname

Moderator: Annette Tjon Sie Fat

11:00 Welcome and introduction by Armstrong Alexis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative

11:15 Introduction of SIDS global and national agenda by Cedric Nelom, deputy Director National Institute for

Environment (and SIDS national focal point and GEF Operational focal point)

11:40 Short break

12:00 Roundtable discussion with everyone

13:45 Wrap up of the discussion / evaluation of the day

14:00 End of discussion

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Appendix 3

Presentation by Cedric Nelom (deputy director of the National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname)

for SIDS CSO information and discussion event (August 6, 2014)

INHOUD

• 1992 Rio Conferentie

• Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA)/Mauritius Strategy for further Implementation of BPOA /S.A.M.O.A

• Suriname SIDS 2014

2

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WAT IS EEN SIDS?

Laag liggende landen die t.a.v. duurzame

ontwikkeling uitdagingen gemeen hebben

inclusief kleine maar groeiende populaties, beperkte

hulpbronnen, afgelegenheid, vatbaar voor natuurlijke

rampen, kwestbaar voor externe schokken,

overdadige afhankelijkheid van internationale handel

& fragiele milieu’s.

Gebieden (in totaal 52 landen & territoria):

Caribbean

AIMS (Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea)

Pacific

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1992 RIO CONFERENTIE

Erkenning dat SIDS unieke &

bijzondere kwestbaarheden en

karakteristieken hebben

z.a. klein in omvang, klimaatverandering &

stijging zeespiegel, natuurlijke & milieu

rampen, beperkte hulpbronnen, etc.

Ondersteuning vereist om Duurzaam

te ontwikkelen

BARBADOS PROGRAMME OF ACTION

(BPOA) 1994 geadopteerd door internationale

gemeenschap als eerste voorbeeld van

wereldwijd partnerschap tussen ontwikkelde

en ontwikkelingslanden

14 prioriteitsgebieden en speciale acties om

de uitdagingen aan te gaan.

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MAURITIUS STRATEGY FOR FURTHER

IMPLEMENTATION OF BPOA

2005 geadopteerd

MSI focus zijn acties en strategieën in

19 prioriteitsgebieden.

BPOA VS MSIChapter Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA) Chapter Mauritis Strategy (MSI)

1 Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 1 Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

2 Natural and Environmental Disasters 2 Natural and Environmental Disasters

3 Management of Waste 3 Management of Waste

4 Coastal and Marine Resources 4 Coastal and Marine Resources

5 Freshwater Resources 5 Freshwater Resources

6 Land Resources 6 Land Resources

7 Energy Resources 7 Energy Resources

8 Tourism Resources 8 Tourism Resources

9 Biodiversity Resources 9 Biodiversity Resources

10 National Institutions and Administrative Capacities

10 Transportation and Communication

11 Regional Institutions and Technical Cooperation

11 Science and Technology

12 Transportation and Communication 12 Graduation from least developed country status

13 Science and Technology 13 Trade: globalization and trade liberalization

14 Human Resource Development 14 Sustainable Capacity development and education for sustainable development

15 Sustainable production and consumption

16 National and Regional enabling environments

17 Health

18 Knowledge management and information for decision-making

19 Culture

Bron: www.sidsnet.org/thematic-areas

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SAMOA CONFERENTIE

Tijdens Rio+20 in Juni 2012 is bepaald dat in

2014 een 3e SIDS Conferentie

Vanaf Juli 2013 Preparatory Meetings

- regionale meetings (Juli 2013--Jamaica)

- inter-regionale meeting (Aug 2013--Barbados)

- Drafting Outcome Document (Feb – Juli 2014--VN)

3e SIDS Conferentie 1 – 4 Sept 2014

(SIDS Accelerated Modalities Of Action (S.A.M.O.A.) Pathway)

SIDS Accelerated Modalities Of Action1 Sustained and Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Economic

Growth with Decent Work for All

2 Climate Change

3 Sustainable Energy

4 Disaster Risk Reduction

5 Oceans and Seas

6 Food Security and Nutrition

7 Water and Sanitation

8 Sustainable Transport

9 Sustainable Consumption and Production

10 Management of Chemicals and Waste, including Hazardous Waste

11 Health and NCDs

12 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

13 Social Development

14 Biodiversity

15 Means of Implementation, including Partnerships

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SURINAME SIDS 2014 (1/2)

Priority Areas National Report:

- Agriculture and Food security

- Natural resources management, incl. fisheries

management and oceans governance

-Water resources management

- Energy, incl. renewable energy and energy efficiency

- Climate change and sea level rise

- Biodiversity

-Waste management and chemicals management

NATIONAL EMERGING ISSUES (2/2)

Culture

Education

Population trends

Health and well-being

Poverty eradication

Land use planning and management

Coordination, collaboration and

governance

Regional and international cooperation

Financing

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RECAP

• 1992 Rio Conferentie

• Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA)/Mauritius Strategy for further Implementation of BPOA /S.A.M.O.A

• Nationaal Rapport Suriname SIDS 2014

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BEDANKT

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