UN General Assembly
2010

an understanding partnership in tackling the pressing issues that threaten to engulf our world. Despite our geographic distribution, small island developing States (SIDs) are working diligently together on shared concerns through regional and international networks, the most notable of which is the Alliance of Small Island States. We recognize that traditional hydrocarbon fuel usage is unsustainable and are therefore looking to make use of the alternate energy sources that are available to us. The use of hydropower, wind, solar and geothermal sources and converting waste into energy are means by which we could reduce our energy reliance, lower trade deficits and generate employment. However, those require investment in research, development and infrastructure. The other most critical factor in our development is the speed of the global economy’s return to sustained growth. Recent news of deteriorating economic conditions and a fall in house sales in the United States has fanned the flame of fears of a double-dip recession. Over the past few weeks, the short-term growth prospects of the United States, Europe and Japan have