The Cowrie “SIDS Times Magazine” 2017 September Edition

The Cowrie – SIDS Times Magazine Fall 2017 Online Edition

Chief ’s Corner

Sainivalati Navoti
Chief of SIDS Unit

A very warm New York greetings to all, welcome to “The Cowrie” our new look UN-DESA SIDS Times Magazine. There is a new team at the SIDS Unit and it is on our behalf that I express our gratitude and sincere thanks to those who have kindly contributed articles and items to be published in this edition of The Cowrie.

The September 2017 edition is dedicated exclusively to Ocean related matters. We figured that it is entirely appropriate, following the success of the UN Ocean Conference, that The Cowrie must snail through to re- count the event, ensuring that appropriate reflection and action is directed towards implementation.

SIDS footprints were found everywhere during the UN Ocean Conference and is now fossilised in the annals of time as a significant contributor to its success. From the organisation of side-events, to participation in panel discussions, contributions to voluntary commitments and in the overall conduct and leadership of the Conference, the SIDS flag flew proud and high. Efforts must now be exerted to ensure that this spirit of success and momentum continues. The implementation of the outcome document of the Conference, “Our Ocean, Our Future: call for action” and of SDG 14 are the only sure currents that will guarantee the benefits, to drift back to SIDS.

To the curious, the cowrie shell is found in reefs and coasts around the world, including in many SIDS. Over the century, it has come to symbolise many things to many cultures. To some it means the ocean spirit of wealth and power, to others destiny and prosperity or fertility. Some wear the shell simply for decoration. For us at the SIDS Unit of UNDESA, our Cowrie is a platform for disseminating information showcasing the good work currently being undertaken by all SIDS stakeholders to further the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and The 2030 Agenda for Sustinable Development . We trust that you will be informed and encouraged!

Sainivalati Navoti Chief of SIDS Unit

Division for Sustainable Development UN DESA

sai.navoti@un.org

SIDS_TIMES_2017_Sep PDF version

Section 1 (Ocean Theme)

1. Follow up to the Ocean Conference – by UN DESA
2. Container Deposit Laws by UNDP
3. Emerging Contaminants: Hitchhikers in Caribbean Waters – by Cartegena Convention Secretariat
4. Wetlands: A Natural safeguarding against disasters by UNEP
5. Taking the Circular Approach to waste in the Caribbean by UNEP
6. Supporting Blue Growth in Commonwealth Small States-by Commonwealth Secretariat
7. The Oceans and the OECS: Harnessing the Benefits for Sustainable development by OECS
8. An Abyssal Relation by UNDESA

Section 2 Recent Activities

1. Presentation of VNRS from SIDS during HLPF by UNDESA
2. Authors for IPCC ‘s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate Selected by IPCC
3. 1st High Level Pacific’s Blue Economy Conference by PIDF
4. Recent activities on Ensuring a Robust and Reliable Tsunami Warning System and Mitigation System by UNESCO
5. Pacific leads High Ambition Coalition for Maritime Shipping Emission Reduction by PIDF
6. Official Launch of GAP by FAO
7. My Ocean matters photo contest winners by PIDF

Section 3 Partnerships

1. Pacific Launch Pacific Green Business Centre, New Partnership for Private Sector Engagement in SDG by PIDF
2. New Partnership for the Pacific with GGGI by PIDF
3. Our Oceans, Our Actions by GLISPA

Section 4

1. Summary of Upcoming SIDS related events