Tuesday 07th March, Doha, Qatar: The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan has called for the adoption of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and vulnerable countries to be accepted within the United Nations framework and beyond, as well as by international financial institutions.
The President was speaking this afternoon at the High-level side event under the theme “Achieving a fair and complete measurement of vulnerability: perspectives from the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) on the vulnerability index”, convened by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the Commonwealth in the margin of the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5).
President Ramkalawan spoke about the vulnerabilities of the Small Island Developing States, and underscored the acute challenges affecting SIDS.
“In such a volatile and unpredictable climate, what future lies ahead for our islands without the recognition of its vulnerabilities? It is imperative, therefore, that we usher in a new assessment architecture. One which can truly address the needs of SIDS and LDCS in a comprehensive manner. To go beyond GDP per capita as a measurement of development and access to concessionary financing for development needs. We need an index that takes into consideration the intrinsic complexities that data on income, on its own, cannot fully reveal. This demands that we identify a fairer way to measure a country's susceptibility to external shocks. It demands a more pragmatic methodology of assessment” said the President.
“The argument we are pushing forward is that the MVI should be universally applicable within the United Nations system and beyond, including international financial institutions. What we are saying is: no country should be penalised for making progress in its development journey. The opportunities extended, or considerations given, to some developing countries should be available to all developing countries, irrespective of income status.”
The Head of State thanked the OIF and the Commonwealth for their continued support and commitment, one that he described as important in the advocacy and implementation of the MVI.
“We are here to make a case for due and appropriate consideration to be given to SIDS. Both the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and the Commonwealth are sensitive to and supportive of our arguments. Their support and commitment are vital to own efforts towards securing the universal adoption of a MVI. Thank you to the OIF and Commonwealth for organising this event, and a special thanks to Madame Mushikiwabo and The Rt Honourable Baroness Scotland for your continued support and advocacy!”
“Let us all continue to advocate for enduring solutions towards greater resilience for SIDS, and other developing countries,” he concluded.
Members of the High-level panel included:
Moderator: Mr. Patrick GUILLAUMONT, Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (FERDI) Keynote speakers:
• H.E. Mrs. Louise MUSHIKIWABO, Secretary-General of La Francophonie
• The Rt. Hon. Patricia SCOTLAND, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
• H.E. Mr. Wavel RAMKALAWAN, President of the Republic Seychelles
• H.E. Mrs. Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU, Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, in charge of Development, La Francophonie and International Partnerships
• Hon. Mr. Lejone MPOTJOANE, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho
• H.E. Mr. Dhoihir DHOULKAMAL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in charge of the Diaspora and Francophonie
