Small Island Developing States in Indian Ocean Region: Need to address climate change vulnerabilities

In 1992, the SIDS were recognized for their achievements in the environment and development during a United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro. These countries are also prone to numerous social, environmental, and economic issues. These isolated territories are composed of landmasses that are surrounded by water. Due to their small size, these underdeveloped countries are not able to expand their urban and agricultural development. Small island states are also prone to experiencing fragile ecosystems. These regions are at risk from various environmental threats, such as climate change and natural disasters. Their small size and dependence on a few industries, like fisheries, tourism, and agriculture, make these countries vulnerable to external shocks. Moreover these states are prone to experiencing high population densities. This affects their infrastructure and resources and they have to rely on imports for their services and goods. This makes them particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations. Storms are more common in these states, which always causes premature infrastructure damage. Possessing limited resources, many small island states are unable to effectively address certain crises, such as medical emergencies and natural disasters. All these vulnerabilities and challenges to SIDs prevent them from developing resilient economies. But as a group, small island states can often be found advocating for their common interests at international forums. These include discussions related to sustainable development and climate change. Countries that are small island states include those in the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, or the Pacific Ocean. International organizations and programs that support small island states recognize their unique challenges and aim to help them overcome these issues.

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has emerged as a significant geopolitical issue in recent years. Large powers have placed significant interests in this region and its geostrategic importance has become clear, as SIDS provides easy access to its various choke points and can serve as an operational base for maritime forces conducting surveillance operations in the region. These islands also have close proximity to vital SLOCs, which makes them ideal locations for replenishment.

The US, China, Russia, France, India, and the European Union have started to enhance their engagement in the Asia-Pacific region, through establishment of strong political and economic relations. Their objective is to maintain stability and security, as well as the freedom of navigation. But the rise of China's presence and economic engagement in the region has increased the interest of various political and military actors in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This has resulted in a rise in competition and strategic rivalry. Some of the countries that are affected by this include the Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar. The location of these islands has been regarded as a strategic advantage, ever since the inception of the Indo-Pacific framework. They are strategically located close to significant SLOCs and can act as a base for maritime forces conducting surveillance operations in the region. As the world's major powers expand their presence in the region's maritime domain, they are also engaging with smaller island states (SIDS) to enhance their security interests. There is a significant difference between the interests of the SIDS and the larger powers when it comes to addressing the various challenges they face.

Challenges to SIDS

Rising sea levels are also threatening the existence of low-lying islands. This issue has a direct impact on the economic activities of SIDS. Saltwater intrusion can affect their freshwater supplies, and the quality of their agricultural land can be impacted by salinity. Desalination plants are not feasible for islands that are dispersed. The rising sea levels and natural disasters that are caused by climate change are already having a negative impact on the economies of the SIDS. In 2014, a report released by the UN Environment Programme highlighted the various effects of climate change on the region. These include the increasing number of natural disasters, the displacement of people, and the development of new weather patterns. Due to their remote locations, limited resources, and small population, the SIDS face various challenges. Although most of them are regarded as middle-income states, such as Comoros, they are also among the countries that are considered to be least developed. These states are mainly dependent on the fisheries and tourism sectors.

Almost half of the SIDS' food imports are imported, which makes them increasingly dependent on foreign sources. Continued decline in production would increase their reliance on imports, and self-sufficiency would be a distant dream. Fish exports are a vital part of their revenue, and this has contributed to their development. But nowadays fishing industry is affected by the loss of exclusive economic zones (EEZ) due to the shifting baselines and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Sea temperatures are also threatening the marine biomass in SIDS' resource-rich areas. Whereas, the tourism industry accounts for almost half of the country's GDP, and the pandemic had a negative impact on the industry. This emphasizes the fragility of the islands. The IOR noted that the number of climate-related disasters has increased significantly in the past couple of years. The SIDS are expected to be even more vulnerable to such natural calamities as a result of climate change. The SIDS prioritizes sustainable growth and mitigating the effects of climate change.

China and SIDS

Countries with significant interests in the region, such as Australia, India, Japan, and the US, are concerned about China's growing influence. They have different maritime security policies that focus on freedom of navigation, international maritime law, piracy, and fishing. China's maritime security strategy emphasizes the importance of islands in its operations. This is evidenced by its cooperation with other states and island development projects within the South China Sea. SIDS appreciates the support and development initiatives undertaken by China due to their vulnerabilities.

China has been active in the region, with several infrastructure projects and free trade agreements being executed in various countries. In 2018, Maldives had to ask for assistance from India due to its debts to China, which amounted to over US$1 billion. Also, the island nation of Madagascar is heavily affected by China's presence and activities. Its enterprises are mainly financed by China, and they account for over 90% of the country's economy. Migrants from China have disrupted commerce and left the locals with few job opportunities. Madagascar is at risk of political and social upheaval due to its heavy dependence on China. This is a grim illustration of how the strategic ambitions of powerful nations can wreck the SIDS. It is essential that all IOR stakeholders align their interests and work toward a common objective of promoting stability and security.

The SIDS are active in advocating for climate change mitigation and aid. There have been various forums that have allowed them to share ideas and experiences with the international community. One such initiative is the SAMOA Pathway, which seeks to galvanize support for vulnerable islands. The islands work to help other countries achieve their development goals by providing them with a voice. The Alliance of Small Island Nations is also a representation body that allows them to voice their concerns. The Indian Ocean commission is composed of the nations of Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Comoros. Through these forums, the SIDS can discuss the various issues that affect their countries' development and stability. They can also interact with other countries in the region. By engaging with the larger powers, the SIDS can ensure that they are included in the security architecture's larger framework. The IOR SIDS can leverage their position to make sure that the larger powers pay attention to their security concerns.

Conclusion

The region's future opportunities are identified and prioritized according to their value. These include those that are not dependent on geographic proximity or economies of scale, such as those in financial technology, design, and outsourcing. Priority should also be given to investments in research and development, innovation, and infrastructure. Decisions regarding the security of the region can be made by the larger powers, or by influential individuals. Through their strategic position, the SIDS of the IOR should leverage it to make the bigger powers pay more attention to their concerns. The time has come for the establishment of stronger regional groupings and alliances. This can be done through the participation of the SIDS. It will ensure that other actors do not ignore the interests and issues of the SIDS. Rather than being viewed as mere pawns in the geopolitical chess match, the SIDS should be viewed as vital stakeholders in the region. This will definitely signify a fundamental change in their mindset and policies, which are necessary for a stable and secure environment. Moreover, incentives should be created to encourage foreign and domestic investors to participate in productive capital investments, particularly in areas such as new technologies and upgrades to existing ones. Also, enhancing financial and tourism service offerings should be prioritized. In order to meet the region's energy needs, public-private partnerships can be established with large energy consumers such as mines, factories, and resorts. These partnerships should also focus on human capital development and technology transfer. In addition, public investments in education and infrastructure can help expand internet penetration. For future opportunities, education spending should be used as a catalyst for other initiatives. For instance, it can be used to train a large number of instructors and researchers and establish training programs that are geared toward sectors that are priority. Specific language should be included in all programs and policies to ensure that women, minorities, and youth have equal access to opportunities. In addition, reforms in areas such as competition, property rights, and the rule of law can help improve governance.

Pic Courtsey-Med J at unsplash.com

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)