Small island developing states 'lack research support'

The lack of international support for research and innovation in small island developing states (SIDS) is holding back development agendas, was emphasized by government ministers from Mauritius and Seychelles for an online publication. The issue will be addressed at the following Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Apia, Samoa (1-4 September 2014).

Mauritius and Seychelles are often referred to as SIDS ‘success stories’ due their leading innovative education, health and environment programmes resulting in both countries meeting their development goals, declared Mrs. Isolina Boto, Head of CTA Brussels office. However, further progress is stalled by lack of international support for SIDS based research on topics such as climate change adaptation, according to Seychelles Environment and Energy Minister, Rolph Payet. He underlined the need for ‘good science’ obtained through strengthening tertiary education and research capacity for universities in SIDS, critical issues for meeting further development goals.

Arvin Boolell, Mauritius Foreign Minister spoke of a ‘technology vacuum’ due to lack of global research agenda meeting the needs of SIDS. Currently, SIDS “have to figure out how to adapt technologies incubated in centers of innovation in the developed world rather than having support to develop their own innovations, which would be better suited to their development needs to begin with.” Mrs. Boto confirmed that only a small part of the agricultural research effort goes to small islands while the needs and vulnerabilities of these states continue to increase, especially in the context of the frequent natural disasters and climate change. 

Both Mr. Payet and Mr. Boolell agreed that future progress depends on sustainable management of the vast ocean spaces comprising SIDS, the key to food, energy and water security and fuel innovation.

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