UN General Assembly
2013

it imperative that countries like ours maintain active involvement in shaping the global development policy agenda. It is recognized, however, that SIDS are constrained in their ability and capacity to craft independent solutions. One major barrier is our debt situation. The issue of debt sustainability is of particular relevance to SIDS. In highlighting its importance, the Prime Minister of Barbados, in his feature address to the recently concluded interregional preparatory meeting for the Third International Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, noted: “Debt sustainability is a critical issue not only for Barbados, but for many of the SIDS... We must therefore use the opportunity provided by the Third International Conference on SIDS to both find and share solutions to this challenge, as it is a major constraint to SIDS achieving sustainable development. “In this context, it is imperative that, before we meet in Samoa, an opportunity be provided to fully ventilate this matter. In this regard, the relevant entity of the United Nations responsible for coordinating SIDS issues may want to consider