The UNGA Special Session on the review of the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action was an important opportunity which focused the international community's attention on environment and development problems faced by Small Island Developing States. We need to take the opportunities off ered by fora such as the Special Session to recognise and respond to the challenges of sustainable development for small island states. Many SIDS noted at the Special Session that development partners had not responded to the extent they had anticipated with assistance for implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action. As our statement made clear, Australia is one of the largest donors to SIDS, and we incorporate Barbados priorities in all aid activities through our country and regional strategies.
Trade is clearly of fundamental importance.
The forthcoming and all future international trade talks must have a balanced agenda which recognises the circumstances of SIDS and other developing countries. We also used our statement to draw attention to the importance of taking the vulnerability of small states into account in international decision Mr Chairman, As one of the world's mega biologically diverse countries, Australia places great importance on both international and domestic actions to protect and conserve our unique flora and fauna. We are a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity and actively implement its commitments through a range of programs and policies, including The National Strategy for Conservation of Australia's Biodiversity and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This Act is a new and progressive piece of legislation that pulls together in a single piece of comprehensive legislation the means to ensure the protection of all matters of national environmental significance in Australia. Australia is also working constructively in the international arena on a number of important initiatives designed to further protect Australian and global biodiversity.