UN General Assembly
2002

trade. Jamaica welcomes in particular the commitments made at Johannesburg in respect of small island developing States (SIDS). We continue to underscore the need for special attention to be paid to the challenges of vulnerability faced by SIDS. What is needed is a fair opportunity to secure the welfare of our people, and to protect our fragile environment. This cannot be achieved without the full support of the international community. The Barbados Programme of Action, adopted in 1994, represented that commitment of support. As we now prepare to review its implementation in 2004, we encourage 33 renewed engagement on those issues critical to our very survival, such as the dangers posed by global warming, sea level rise and natural disasters. Jamaica welcomes the positive indications for Africa, where the reduction of political conflict and turmoil offers a real opportunity for building stability and economic progress. Africa has suffered for far too long from a myriad of difficult problems and should be given a new start. The formation of the African Union and the inauguration of the New Partnership for Africa's