Vanuatu PM commends commitment of global leaders to find common ground on Rio Delcaration

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor

PM Sato Kilman of Vanuatu with his delegates

22 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro - The efforts of world leaders put their national interests aside to agree to what is now still a draft Rio Declaration has been highly commended by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu.

Addressing the High Level Segment of the Rio+20 conference, Prime Minister Meltek Sato Kilman Livtivanu said negotiators must be congratulated for their hard work in mapping the “Future We Want’ declaration, now expected to be endorsed here in Rio de Janeiro Friday.

"My delegation is very pleased that, regardless of the different national interests, we as the family of nations can still work together and develop a road map for the years to come.

“It is my hope that we will continue to move away from a reactive style of managing development, that has only provided short-term band-aid solutions.

PM Kilman said ‘our decisions will provide the opportunity to better guarantee our citizens and their future generations, a future they deserve.

The reaffirmation of the special case of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the draft agreement has been praised by the Vanuatu PM.

“We commend our G77 family for their ongoing solidarity with us on this issue.

However, what remains to be seen is the commitment by developed countries to mobilise financial resources including technology, which will build our capacity to progress sustainable development in Vanuatu and other SIDS.

“This, I believe, has been considered under many aspects of the planned “Future We Want” and the “Future We Will Have”. We urge all development partners to help us facilitate the implementation of our decision, so that it does not become another declaration.

PM Kilman said his country also, like other Pacific SIDS supports regional and global efforts related to the sustainable management of the Pacific Ocean.

"To that end, Vanuatu being part of the large ocean state believes a green economy is mostly possible with a blue backbone.

“The ocean can sustain us only if there is a concerted global effort to conserve and manage oceans resources wisely enough, guided by the wisdom of the precautionary approach to ensure that these resources sustain this generation, and those to come.

The Future We Want Declaration, to form the outcomes of Rio+20 conference will be endorsed by leaders on Friday.