DELIBERATIONS on the vulnerability and future of small island developing states (SIDS) will go ahead as planned in Mauritius next week, despite the tsunami that devastated sections of Asia.

In fact, the conference is seen now as even more imperative as millions attempt to recover from a disaster that international experts agree could have been mitigated with better warning systems.

Mauritius, the UN said, was "relatively spared" by the December 26 waves.

The conference will address as a matter of priority the need for better preparedness in small islands against natural disasters such as tsunamis and cyclones, said a UN statement.

"Destruction of life and property to the low-lying coastal areas, once again highlights the vulnerability of the small island developing states," said Anwarul K Chowdhury, UN Under Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the UN International Meeting on SIDS, extending sympathies to the people and governments of the tsunami-affected countries.

"This wave of destruction comes on the heels of a number of recent climatic disasters where the impact of sudden climate change has never before been more evident than the recent devastating widespread hurricanes and tropical storms affecting small island developing states, most vulnerable to global climate change," he added.

The Mauritius conference will convene 37 island nations to discuss challenges from natural disasters, climate change, trade losses and market access, and threats from HIV/AIDS, and how to present these issues to the international community in the search for help.

Said Chowdhury: "I am sure the issue of some kind of global early warning system will be proposed by many states and I am one of the people who believe such an early warning system should be set up immediately."

Over 2,000 participants are expected in Mauritius for the January 10-14 talks, including 25 heads of state and government, said the UN.

They will review the implementation of the 'Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States', which was agreed a decade ago in Barbados.

In addition to the official conference, several parallel events will be held in Mauritius:

. a Civil Society Forum, January 6 - 9;

. a youth forum called 'Youth Visioning for Island Living', January 7 - 12; and

. 'Community Vilaj', a large event aimed at promoting exchanges among small islands, including an 'Island Market' to showcase the diversity of the island's products, January 6 - 14.

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