A video reflecting the challenges faced by island states was shown at WUF13, APA-Economics reports.
A video reflecting the problems and expectations of island communities was presented during the special session titled “Inclusive Urban Resilience, Blue Economy and Sustainable Tourism in Small Island Developing States” held within the framework of WUF13.
In the video, residents of small island states called for local communities to be listened to more in urban planning and development policies.
The message emphasized that people described as “informal settlements” and “vulnerable groups” should be at the center of decision-making.
The video noted that island residents are not fighting against water, but instead learning to live together with it, and stressed the importance of development projects being based on local knowledge and experience.
The authors of the message stated that cities should prioritize people over profit, while protecting nature is a matter not of ownership, but of responsibility.
The video concluded with the call: “Do not come to save us, come to start with us.” Emphasizing that resilience is not only about infrastructure, the message addressed the international community with the question: “Will you rise with us?”
