A Future for Small States: Overcoming VulnerabilityThere has been a dearth of solid analytical work done on the special problems of small states. This report attempts to overcome that shortcoming and provides a comprehensive analysis of vulnerability of small states in all its dimensions, including political, economic, social and environmental aspects. The Commonwealth's 31 small states (countries with a population of 1.5 million or less) do not form a homogeneous group, but share important characteristics which render them vulnerable, including openness, insularity, enclaveness, weakness and dependence. These characteristics of vulnerability are examined, both by type of threat - territorial, political, economic and environmental - and by region. Many small states have an enviable record of political stability, and some have a good record on economic and social progress; but others have struggled to develop their economies. Small states are concerned about possible marginalisation in a world of globalised trade, investment, finance and production; they are more susceptible than larger states to environmental threats, both natural and man-made; and threats posed to their security by international crime. The increasing importance of regional organisations and international fora for enhancing their security are discussed. The report provides a series of action points to counteract small states' vulnerability. It was prepared by a nine-member Advisory Group of eminent personalities constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, in response to a decision taken by member governments. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Smallness and Vulnerability 8 934 | 8 |
The Threat Scenario | 16 |
The Economic Consequences of Smallness | 24 |
Analysis | 31 |
Common terms and phrases
action activities Africa agreements Antigua and Barbuda areas arrangements assistance Barbados Belize benefit bilateral biodiversity Botswana capacity capital Caribbean CARICOM climate change Commonwealth Secretariat Commonwealth small concessional costs Cyprus developing countries domestic donors drug economic EEZs effective environment environmental established export external foreign forest funds Gambia global globalisation Group growth Guyana Harare Declaration human identified impact implementation important improve increased Indian Ocean integration international community international system investment issues Kiribati Lesotho limited Lomé Convention major Maldives Malta Mauritius measures multilateral natural disasters organisations Papua New Guinea particularly political pollution population private sector problems programmes promotion recognised Recommendations reduced reform regime regional co-operation risk role sea-level rise Seychelles SIDS significant small countries small island social South Pacific sustainable development taxes threats tourism trade Trinidad and Tobago United Nations Vanuatu Vulnerability report