I would like to single out three central challenges to which we attach primary importance.

Some countries have set up national information systems which gather data on the state of the environment in general and more particularly on the state of natural resources.

The threats to the security of States more particularly small and vulnerable ones  have been greatly magnified by the spread of terrorism, transboundary crime, disease, arms and drug trafficking.

It is my duty to suggest to this body that just such a vacuum exists in many small island developing States and, more particularly, in the Republic of Palau.

My delegation also appreciates the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization, particularly for developing guidance on the strategies and measures required for the creation of an enabling environment for small scale fisheries.

A further obstacle for international actors in ensuring assistance and particularly protection to IDPs in this period was the ongoing complications arising from mandate gaps concerning this population.

More particularly, in the centres of illegal gold prospecting, there is evidence that indigenous children and adolescents are subjected to labour exploitation and the worst forms of child labour, including servitude and slavery, child prostitution, trafficking and sale.

The Court, also in its 9 July 2004 Advisory Opinion, after examining the travaux préparatoires of the ICCPR and the decisions and observations of the Human Rights Committee, rejected the argument that the Covenant was not applicable outside a State's territorial borders and, more particularly, in occupied territory.

For three years, the Government of National Unity has been striving to get the country working again, to complete its reunification by re establishing transportation networks, rebuilding schools and hospitals, restoring State authority throughout the national territory, establishing a national republican army and, above all, preparing for the first general elections in more than 40 years.