UN General Assembly
2009

highlighted during the High-Level Event, in order to increase our resistance to the adverse impacts of climate change. But it is also important that initiatives undertaken in the quest for environmental protection do not cause greater harm than good. For example, the introduction of an air-passenger levy will damage our already weakened tourism industry, the industry that is our economic lifeline. The proposed marine bunkering levies or taxes are likely to have a similar negative impact on our maritime registry’s cost competitiveness. Such supposedly well-intentioned environmental initiatives come at a time when resources available for adaptation are not readily available to small island developing States like the Bahamas. As an archipelagic nation, the Bahamas faces particular challenges in the area of maritime safety and security. My Government has committed tremendous financial and technical resources to combat illicit trafficking of drugs and weapons; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and human smuggling, and underscores the need for effective cooperation and coordination among States, as well as the development of innovative approaches to resolve those issues and complement national efforts. The Bahamas welcomes