Resolution 5/1. Modalities for the full and comprehensive review of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States

The Commission on Sustainable Development,

Recalling its decision 4/16 on the review of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,1 in which, inter alia, it was stated that in the context of the special session of the General Assembly to be convened in 1997 to review the overall implementation of Agenda 21,2 specific modalities would be recommended by the Commission for the full review of the Programme of Action in 1999,

Recalling paragraph 117 of the Programme of Action, in which Governments call for the Commission on Sustainable Development to include, in the context of the full review of the Programme of Action, the question of convening a second global conference in accordance with chapter 17, section G of Agenda 21,

Recognizing also the important coordinating role of the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United Nations Secretariat in implementing the Programme of Action,

Having examined the report of the Secretary-General on implementation of the Programme of Action (E/CN.17/1997/14) and the recommendations that it contains concerning the modalities for the full review of the Programme of Action in 1999,

Stressing the importance of including in the full review in 1999 the vulnerability index being developed by the United Nations,

1.Recognizes the need to review outstanding chapters of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States prior to its full review in 1999;

2.Urges the task managers within the Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development of the Commission on Sustainable Development and the Small Island Developing States Unit of the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United Nations Secretariat to prepare reports on the outstanding chapters of the Programme of Action for consideration by the Commission's Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group at its meeting scheduled for 1998;

3.Decides that it will undertake the review of all the outstanding chapters and issues of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States at its sixth session, in 1998;

4.Encourages Governments and participants at the high-level meeting of the Commission at its sixth session to address, inter alia, matters related to the sustainable development of small island developing States;

5.Urges all Governments, regional intergovernmental bodies or similar arrangements, relevant United Nations organizations, bodies and agencies of the United Nations system and major groups identified in Agenda 21 to commence preparations for the full review and comprehensive assessment of progress made in the implementation of the Programme of Action since its adoption at Bridgetown, Barbados, in 1994 by the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States;

6.Recommends that the General Assembly convene a two-day special session immediately preceding its fifty-fourth session for an in-depth assessment and appraisal of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States;

7.Decides that the Commission on Sustainable Development will carry out the full review of the Programme of Action within its approved programme of work at its seventh session. That review will be considered as the preparatory process for the special session of the General Assembly recommended in paragraph 6 above;

8.Decides that the preparatory process for its seventh session, within its agreed format and programme, shall assist the Commission in carrying out the review and appraisal of the Programme of Action.