UN General Assembly
2014

time has now come for this exemplar of the magnificent Chinese civilization to be permitted to participate in the work of various agencies of this world body. The chosen theme for this general debate — “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda” — reflects a wise focus on a central priority and core strength of this institution. The exercise and advancement of the right to development is an overarching priority for the overwhelming majority of the world’s peoples, and it is the absence of sufficient developmental progress that is often the root cause of a great deal of global violence and unrest. The post-2015 development agenda must coalesce around a series of goals and targets that offer a people-centred path of progress for developing countries. In elaborating that agenda, and in this, the International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), it is critical that the vulnerabilities and unique characteristics of SIDS inform that document. The recently agreed Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (A/CONF.223/3, annex), which emerged from the historic Third