Management of wastes: Extract from the Mauritius Strategy, Chapter III, Paras 22-25

22. While some small island developing States have made significant progress in both planning and implementation of waste management policies, programmes and strategies, most of them have serious difficulties in terms of financial and technical capacity in dealing with waste management issues. Marine debris, ballast water, shipwrecks with potential to cause environmental hazard due to leaks and other forms of waste threaten the ecological integrity of small island developing States.

23. Further action is required by small island developing States, with the necessary support of the international community, to:

1. Form regional partnerships to draw on best practices and develop innovative solutions to waste management, seeking international assistance in this effort;
   
   
2. Work to strengthen the control of the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, especially through the enhancement of activities under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, and, where it applies, the Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the South Pacific Region (Waigani Convention);
   
   
3. Promote sustainable waste management, including by:
   
   1. Identifying cost-effective and environmentally sound waste management systems;
      
   2. Exploring and engaging in innovative forms of financing of waste management infrastructure, including the creation of appropriate national environmental trust funds;
      
   3. Promoting reduction, reuse and recycling of waste and waste management initiatives;
      
   4. Developing projects appropriate to small island developing States for the use of waste as a resource, including for the production of energy as a waste management solution;
   
   
   
4. Promote national, regional and international cooperation to reduce the quantity of waste disposed of at sea, including by working with others in the international community to strengthen regimes relating to the disposal of waste at sea, particularly those regimes established by the International Maritime Organization, the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention of 1972), and the International Atomic Energy Agency;
   
   
5. Promote the broad participation in and early implementation of the new International Maritime Organization Convention on Ballast Water.

24. Recognizing the concern that potential oil leaks from sunken State vessels have environmental implications for the marine and coastal ecosystems of small island developing States and taking into account sensitivities surrounding vessels that are marine graves, small island developing States and relevant vessel owners should continue to address the issue bilaterally on a case-by-case basis.

25. The international community notes that cessation of transport of radioactive materials through small island developing States regions is the ultimate desired goal of small island developing States and some other countries, and recognizes the right of freedom of navigation in accordance with international law. States should maintain dialogue and consultation, in particular under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the International Maritime Organization, with the aim of improving mutual understanding, confidence-building and enhanced communications in relation to safe maritime transport of radioactive materials. States involved in the transport of such materials are urged to continue to engage in dialogue with small island developing States and other States to address their concerns, including the further development and strengthening, within the appropriate forums, of international regulatory regimes to enhance safety, disclosure, liability, security and compensation in relation to such transport.