Commonwealth to open up Small State Office in Geneva

The Commonwealth will set up a Small State Office in Geneva early next year in which the Maldives too will become a tenant, Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said.

The new office will support small states in their diverse negotiating challenges, as it has already done in the UN in New York, Sharma told journalists in Male’ during his visit over the week-end.

The Maldives has expressed interest in being a tenant, and the Secretary General said “we look forward to their participation.”

The Small State Office will provide subsidised office space and technical support to small states delegations, while placing experts on trade and human rights there.

“As one of 32 small states in the Commonwealth, Maldives receives special attention,”according to Sharma.

“The Commonwealth recognises the particular vulnerabilities and challenges of small states, especially small island developing states, and seeks constantly to assist them in facing up to those challenges.”

He cited climate change as one such challenge “which poses an existential threat to Maldives.”

“In the Commonwealth we are collectively resolved to support with advocacy and practical help to those that pay the heaviest penalty for a situation to which they have not contributed,” Sharma stressed.

Following the Port of Spain Climate Change Consensus, a high level Commonwealth meeting is being planned for early 2011 in the UK to explore facilitation in the flow of climate change financing to our poorest and most vulnerable members.

Drawing on country experiences, the meeting will examine existing funding opportunities as well as options for supporting improved and more rapid disbursement.

“We hope that Maldives will contribute its significant experience at this meeting,” Sharma said.

Strengthening trade capacity and getting a development dividend out of international trade negotiations is another way in which we help the cause of small and vulnerable economies, he noted.

The Maldives was “among the first countries that publicly warned the world of the phenomenon and likely dire and existential consequences of climate change,” Sharma reminded.

We have a strong stake in keeping Maldives as a “Commonwealth success story,” the Secretary General said quoting President Mohamed Nasheed.

“We will therefore continue to walk together with Maldives in its quest to create a strong, democratic and prosperous nation, committed to the values and principles of the Commonwealth,” he assured.