United Nations Radio

President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo

The Commission on Sustainable Development is expected to conclude its 17th session Friday with concrete policy options to drive practicable actions on agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification and Africa.
During a high-level segment earlier this week, Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo says while raising awareness is vital, it is not enough to achieve sustainable development. He says as an international community, we need to turn this awareness into solutions that make the difference we urgently require.

Jamaica says climate change is the single most urgent threat confronting small island developing States

Dr. Christopher Tufton

Jamaica, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small island States -AOSIS- said it attached great importance to the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr. Christopher Tufton says it affords small island states the opportunity to highlight issues of critical concern to them. Dr. Tufton says these hurricanes reverse significant development gains achieved over many years - a scenario which underlines the extreme vulnerability small island developing states face.

The UN climate chief believes there's still a strong commitment to reach an agreement in Copenhagen this year

Yvo de Boer

The head of the UN climate change negotiations believes there is still a strong commitment to reach an agreement in Copenhagen at the end of this year. But Yvo de Boer says that agreement will not be easy to reach.
He cites the limited time remaining for negotiations.
At the same time he adds, it is essential that Copenhagen delivers clarity on four issues.

The head of the Advisory Group on Haiti says its primary task is to promote recovery and stability I the Caribbean country

Ambassador John McNee

The president to the Economic and Social Council's Ad-Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, Ambassador John McNee, joined the Ambassador of Haiti at a press conference to discuss the Advisory Group's recent visit of Haiti. This Group, comprised of Benin, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Spain,
Trinidad, Tobago, and Haiti, "follows the situation in the country closely and aims to provide advice to the government of Haiti on long-term
development strategies," according to McNee.

Producer: Donn Bobb
Duration: 14'45"