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Archived Articles
Microstates
2005
Back to Current Articles | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 In Vatican City, a Cardinal Works to Balance Budget (April 7, 2005)
Cardinal Edmund Szoka serves as president of the Governatorate of Vatican City, "the closest thing this tiny city-state has to a mayor." Most of the Vatican's budget comes from retail operations and museum revenues, without which it "wouldn't be able to pay its electricity bill or the salaries of its 1,500 employees." Though the Vatican is home to less than 500 people, it still requires a state infrastructure -- Szoka must manage the post office, passports and even a state pension system. (Wall Street Journal)
2004
Back to Current Articles | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 Regional Groups Should Play Bigger Role in Aiding Small Island States: UN Official (April 14, 2004)
UN Under Secretary General Anwarul K. Chowdhury argues that regional organizations such as the Caribbean Community and Pacific Islands Forum need to have a greater role in the economic development of the world’s small island nations. These organizations understand the region’s strengths and weaknesses and are better placed to negotiate with development partners. (UN News Centre)Small Island States to Hold Talks on Their Difficulties at UN Development Forum (April 13, 2004)
At the UN’s 12th Commission on Sustainable Development, the world’s small island nations urged the international community to pay more attention to the on-going problems they face, such as deteriorating ecosystems, isolation, and economic dependency on few export commodities. (UN News Centre)From Barbados to Mauritius: The Programme of Action for Small Islands, Ten Years Later (April 2004)
Small Island States will review the Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA) in Mauritius in August 2004, in light of continual challenges that they face and the “mixed” progress in implementing the BPoA. This article outlines some of the key issues of the BPoA, the actions that member states have undertaken, and those that remain. (United Nations)Throw Away Society New Threat to Island Paradises (March 30, 2004)
Over-fishing, water shortages and rising sea levels threaten the economic and social viability of small island states. Moreover, a report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) argues that the ‘rising tide of trash’ also severely threatens these states due to the harm it places on natural environments and profitable tourism industries. (UNEP)Small, Lovely, Vulnerable: Island Nations Seek Financial Help (February 2, 2004)
The Interregional Preparatory Meeting for the 10 year review of the Barbados Programme of Action has issued a joint declaration emphasizing the “urgent needs” of small island nations for further financial resources and access to capital markets. Such resources are required to meet threats from environmental and security threats, such as global warming, food and water security, and narco-trafficking. (Environment News Service)UN Official Sees 'Big Potential' at Small Islands Conference (January 26, 2004)
Under Secretary General Anwarul Chowdhury acknowledges the great contributions small states can make to the international community, despite the challenges they face. This article reveals that the overall assistance for small islands fell from $2.3 billion in 1994 to $1.7 billion in 2002, creating more challenges for these countries. (UN News Centre)
2003
Back to Current Articles | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 The Size of the Problem (2003)
Neroni Slade, former Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, explains how the “very smallness” of island states causes their heightened vulnerability to the impacts of hurricanes, global warming and changes in the world economy. (Our Planet)UN Report Warns Small Island Developing States Increasingly Vulnerable (December 2, 2003)
A United Nations report argues that fluctuating commodity prices, trade regulations and climate change threaten the economic viability of Small Island Developing States, which rely heavily on the export of agricultural, forestry and fisheries products.Islanders Erupt in Fury at Colonial Ruler Who Stops Them Going Home (March 11, 2003)
The residents of the small Caribbean island of Montserrat, one of Britain’s last colonies, are furiously calling for the resignation of Her Majesty’s governor Anthony Longrigg. The islanders, mostly black descendents of African slaves, accuse Longrigg of ruining the already devastated economy after the island’s volcano erupted in 1995. (Independent)Nauru Loses Contact with the World (February 21, 2003)
The impoverished Pacific island country of Nauru has been isolated from the rest of the world since its telecommunications network collapsed several weeks ago. Until recently, Nauru enjoyed relative prosperity, but with its lucrative phosphate reserves nearly gone, the country survives only on revenues from offshore banking and money laundering. (BBC)Solomon Islanders Suffer in Silence (January 6, 2003)
The Solomon Islands struggles to recover after Cyclone Zoe washed away entire villages. Poor communications technology, difficult transportation, a shortage of fresh water, and severe budget shortfalls complicate the recovery effort for the small island developing state, which may remain dependent on outside aid for months. (Guardian)
2002
Back to Current Articles | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 The Canary is Drowning: Tiny Tuvalu Fights Back Against Climate Change (December 3, 2002)
If sea levels keep rising at their current rate, “leaving for higher ground may be the only choice” for the small island state of Tuvalu, “creating an entire nation of environmental refugees.” Tuvalu plans to sue the US, Australia, and several major oil corporations for their contributions to global warming. (CorpWatch)It's a Small World (April 2002)
Micro-nations face unique problems in a globalizing world. Ranging from the famous Principality of Monaco to the less well-known Hutt River Province Principality, small countries deal with issues of sovereignty, diplomatic recognition and economic development in a world that sometimes hardly knows they exist. (Hellenic Communications Service)Statement by AOSIS at the Commission on Sustainable Development (February 1, 2002)
Although there might be international recognition of the “special case” of small states, their transition to sustainable development is slow. To turn this around, former Samoan Ambassador, Neroni Slade argues that member states must reduce their fossil fuel dependency, ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and implement both the Barbados Programme of Action and Agenda 21. (United Nations)Vulnerable in the South Pacific (January 29, 2002)
In the post-Cold War world the island nations of the South Pacific have lost their strategic importance. Concerns now arise over their potential as terrorist money laundering centers and launch pads for terrorist attacks.
(New York Times)
2001
Back to Current Articles | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 For a Tiny Pacific Nation, Its Domain Is Its Treasure (July 16, 2001)
Tuvalu has joined the countries that sell their internet domain extension for cash. (New York Times)
2000
Back to Current Articles | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 Dots on the Map (September 14, 2000)
The tiny island nations of the Pacific have found a unique way to cash in on the New Economy. Selling their internet domain names brings unexpected benefits to their communities. (Far Eastern Economic Review)
