Annan names Chowdhury chief of review conference on sustainable development

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today named Under-Secretary-General Anwarul K. Chowdhury the secretary-general of an international meeting next year to review 10 years of implementing policies to develop small island states in a sustainable way.

The 10-year review of the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of the Small Island Developing States will take place in Mauritius from 30 August to 4 September 2004.

The Barbados Programme of Action reviewed the implementation of measures adopted at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, as well as those contained in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Earlier in the General Assembly session, Mr. Chowdhury suggested that delegates identify priorities for the 2004 conference agenda, including the economic, social and environmental vulnerability of small island developing states (SIDS), poverty eradication measures, freshwater issues, climate change, renewable energy, development of marine resources and sustainable fisheries, reducing HIV/AIDS and increasing trade.

The Programme of Action facilitates cooperation with and assistance to the SIDS in these and other areas.

Mr. Chowdhury is also the UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.