Annan supports community projects

cctv.com 01-13-2005 10:29

The Indian Ocean island is hosting the UN Small Island Developing States conference. And the UN chief has put his support behind community projects discussed there.

Mauritius is perhaps best known for the dodo, a now extinct flightless bird. But the people of Mauritius are keen to show they have learned from past mistakes in conservation. They sent a representative of the endangered Mauritian kestrels to greet the Kofi Annan. Annan addressed the final session of the UNESCO Youth Visioning for Island Living Initiative, and complimented on their work.

Annan said, "We recently saw what the environment can do to these states through the tsunami catastrophe. But you did not only focus on what should be done, you touched on social development, you touched on education, community development, the role of the youth and above all, you seemed ready to assume your own responsibility."

Annan was then asked what was being done to help small island states deal with the problems of global warming.

Annan said, "The issue you raised of climate change and global warming is a very important one. It's an issue that is of great concern to the UN and to the entire world community. We're all aware of the Kyoto Protocol which not all countries have signed but many have. But I would say whether one has signed the protocol or not, we all have a responsibility to try and reduce the emissions and avoid global warning which has direct impact on small island states.

Annan has championed a worldwide tsunami warning system and there is no shortage, in the wake of the tsunami, of donors to fund it. Many of the 156,000 tsunami victims may have been spared, had warning reached their countries before the wave struck.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com