The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rethinking the mommy guilt

Farizaa Sabreen

According to Tenneva Jordan, "A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." Mother is the greatest gift that one can ever receive in a lifetime. It's her care that prepares you to face the world. 11th May is Mother's Day. The time to show how much you care your mom and make something special that day. Make mom smile big when she unwraps your gifts on the very day.

What's your image of the 21st-century mom? Modern-day moms are breathtakingly busy. They mix up to spend quality time with their kids, they are guilt-stricken about how little time is left over for their family as well as they are desperate for a little downtime for themselves.

They try too hard to be superhuman, often sacrificing their own well-being and relationships with friends, family, even their spouses to meet the ever-increasing demands of their kid's lives. Though such efforts predictably fall short and moms blame themselves.

Doing a million things at once and brilliantly and playing the role of a mother, wife, employee, or friend is amazing. Multitasking is actually counterproductive, since every time you switch from one task to another, you lose time. Focus on one thing and you'll actually get more done. Which is better all around, since you'll wind up with more time to do the things you like and with the people you love.

Feel guilty when you spend more time at outside without babies? How about when you finish a whole candy bar -- or you buy lots of things only for you? Guilty again? Time to stop. Turns out that some of the things you think are self-indulgent are actually good for you and your kids too.

Sometimes guilt is a necessary emotion. It serves as an internal alarm that something may be amiss. The tricky part knows when to tune in to the feeling and when to tune it out.

And working-mom's guilt? Mothers with jobs, full-time or part-time, are no more likely than their at-home counterparts to feel guilty about not always being the perfect parent.

Yelling is considered the biggest mommy guilt. Inform your kid that you don't want to yell and you feel bad about it. Let them know when and what make you irritated, so that they try to do those things.

Sometimes mom dreads having to play with kids. She knows she should engage with them, but she often has so much to do or she may find it boring.

Sometimes you want to simply walk away from the sleep deprivation and the crying and the chaos. But the next moment you feel guilty about feeling that way.

Today's mothers go to bed feeling proud. Many even feel they're doing better with their kids than their own moms did with them. For many women, Mom has become more than just family and they now consider her a friend. To reduce mommy guilt today's mom can check out the following tips.

1. Plan some "me" time. And after you could do every work more energetically. According to a survey, more than 1,300 moms feel guilty for yelling with their kids.

2. Stop comparing yourself and your children to others. At the same time accept your limitations as well as your children's. It is not healthy for our children or us as moms because every child is different. The same goes for you. Some moms like to cook and some like to take them out at parks. Some work in office and some work at home.

3. Getting a babysitter/maid, even if it's just to run errands, helps you reorder, and it gets your kids used to being around other people.

You don't have to put aside a hobby or interest because you're a mom. Seeing friends are more than just fun. It may keep your mind sharp. "I used to feel extreme guilt about meeting up with friends after being at work all day," says Bushra, a mother of four. "But I realized that the only way to keep my spontaneity given my hectic schedule was to think of myself a little bit and have some fun," she adds.

4. If something has happened to upset you sending an e-mail can be a health booster. Because, writing forces you to organize your thoughts and helps you understand what's really going on and how it makes you feel.

5. It can seem impossible to find any time to snooze, what with the baby crying, the toddler sick, and the dirty dishes calling. But save the chores for later and take a nap when your child does. Leave the baby with her dad or grandparents and go to bed early one night this week.

Mommy Guilt persuades mom to let go of unobtainable goals. From the moment of baby's birth, every mom tries to be the very best mom. But parenting is hard work. Parenting doesn't go as planned. Your children do outrageous things or they go down the wrong path or your marriage struggles. And the feelings of guilt inevitably follow.

A happy, contented mother is better able to respond to the demands of her children, so do not feel guilty about taking the time to care for yourself.

The brand maestro

You must have norms to deal your life, likes and livings. The same manner is of corporate ranches; the brand has its own way to lead and live. But today's hyper competitive market deserves more to survive a brand in the market place. The brand expert's motto is to force the brand in the market track. Growth is a vital reagent to assess the survival and power of brand. Asraf Kaiser, CEO and MD of TBWA|| Benchmark recently shared his decade long journey in advertising in the eve of global partnership launches of Benchmark which is now operate as TBWA||BENCHMARK.

Ashraf Kaiser shared his brand stories, brand is many things. In business, this is the life blood. In our country, branding culture was not nourished but importance of branding emphasized in every arena from chef to Airlines. Have you memorized any tooth powder brand in Bangladesh right now? But until nineties tooth powder has a good stake in TV and Press ad. Lake of branding smooth up their way of vanishes.

Power of brand computed through growth. Brand people are just doctor to safety, security and survival of brand. Mr. Ashraf was frequent in the role of brand nourishing. He and his agency BENCHMARK has established and nourished some major brand in Bangladesh. Benchmark provides strategic brand planning, advertising, PR, event management and activation services to a number of MNC's and Local clients including Standard Chartered Bank, Etihad Airways, Marks Full Cream Milk Powder, Singapore Tourism Board, ABC Radio, Pizza Hut, KFC and AKTEL.

In-depth market understanding and effective creative solutions for brands made Benchmark known from its inception and in a short period of time it got placed in the elite list of agencies in Bangladesh. Benchmark achieved numerous award including `Dainik Songbad Protidin Srijon Somman 2004-5 and 2007 from India for its work on Nandan Mega Store, Pizza Hut, Shark Energy Drink and GMG Airlines. BENCHMARK takes its lead by unique strategy and expertise of handling brand within its five years of operation.

In last decade Benchmark takes lead in both local and multinational brands. The journey begins in 2001 and already bags some prestigious milestone. Benchmark teamed up with worlds most creative ad agency network TBWA||. In May 6, 2008 the agency was formally bonding with a warm fest at hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon. Asraf Kaiser the leader of Benchmark talks about the challenges and adoptions of new norms too. As he told about disruption and Media Arts; two most powerful tools of TBWA||.

TBWA|| believes in the simple reality that success cannot be achieved by emulating the others. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results each time is the very definition of insanity. In order to be heard - you must stand out, you must disrupt. DISRUPTION|| is a state of mind. It is a way to respond to the challenges of a rapidly changing world. As a process, DISRUPTION|| offers a clear, rigorous and effective set of tools to manage change and ensures that we keep asking the right questions and getting the best answers. The answers that will give your brand a larger share of the future. That is our tool for change.

And we define Media Arts as a TBWA philosophy that puts all the ways a brand connects at the center of what we do. It requires a deep understanding of how audiences digest media and the various crafts we can use to tell brand stories in an engaging and interesting way. Disruption and Media Arts inspire one another.

Well, how many apples do you memorize? Answer was prompted as well; best probably two, one is of course Apple computer. Actually we try to do the same things for brand which would be the synonyms of that particular industry. Let's see the process and procedure to endure the brand. This is simple and worthy. You have to design a communication plan which simply has no sameness, no repetition, no convention.

Ashraf Kaiser talked about the new philosophy of changes; a working methodology and a consumer catching philosophy. The methodology and process can be employed universally to answer just about any challenge that a brand or company may have. Disruption is not limited to marketing and communications but can be applied to deeper levels of an organization including products and services or the core business offerings. Simply, the uniqueness of new 360 degree brand stewardship is disruption.

Some times better ad don't work for growth that's why we have to plan now a days more different angles and disruptive ideas.

Ashraf continues teaming up with TBWA obviously a big milestone. It is more than a name change. TBWA||BENCHMARK is now well integrated into the networks of TBWA||Worldwide, TBWA||BENCHMARK will be supported with all network resources, planning and creative tolls and techniques, and training support by TBWA||Worldwide in delivering results to its clients and the brands it works for. For instance, creative people will have opportunities to participate in global campaign development, while account management and planners will be trained in global brand direction development apart from all day to day supports from TBWA||Worldwide.

Ashraf Kaiser told about TBWA|| that TBWA||Worldwide (www.tbwa.com) is the most-awarded agency network in the world (The Gunn Report, 2005) and is one of the fastest growing top-ten global agency networks. TBWA||Worldwide, headquartered in New York City and operating globally with 291 offices in 77 countries, and approximately 9700 employees worldwide. TBWA||Worldwide creates disruptive ideas for global clients, including Absolut, Adidas, Apple, Beiersdorf, Henkel, Masterfoods, McDonald's, Michelin, Nissan, Samsonite and Sony Play Station.

7 Steps: Revamp Your Image

Have you thought about your image lately? If not, it may be a great time to take an inventory of areas you need to work on. Use the following questions as a guide.

1. What image do you project to others? How do you want to be perceived? Have you thought about these questions lately? If not, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate the messages you are conveying to others. Remember, YOU have almost complete control about how you are perceived. You can train people to think about you the way you want them to think.

2. Are you poised? Are you aware of your posture when seated and standing? Good posture not only makes you look more commanding and in charge but also enhances the way you look-you actually look younger and slimmer. Yes! Stand straight and tall regardless of your height. People will notice.

3. Do you consider yourself a brand? Whether you are a professional on the fast track, a senior executive with a high profile position, an entrepreneur, business owner or a sales professional, once you are representing a company or interacting with customers or clients in any way, you better believe you're a brand. What does that mean? It means you need to manage your image and make sure it is aligned with your business's brand. It means that your image is communicating important messages about your product and/or service just as your marketing collateral is. Your image is a critical marketing tool and when you examine your appearance from that vantage point, it'll make you be more mindful of your brand presence.

4. What is your signature look? Do you even have one? What distinguishes you from the next person? What do people immediately notice about you? These are questions that help you define a look that is uniquely yours. Why is this important? Because it gives you more confidence, it conveys independence and self possession, you look like 'you', you're more authentic, you're optimizing your assets and you look different from anyone else. All those benefits give you power-the power to use your image to your advantage. When you discover your signature be consistent with it in all your interactions.

5. Do you create a lasting, memorable and positive first impression? First impressions count and they're indelible. This is a judgmental culture and frankly people do judge a book by its cover. Don't underestimate how much power you have over perception. Go all out - dress impeccably and in alignment with your personal style and goals, 'work' your signature look, develop panache and élan. Take your presentation of yourself as seriously as you do your work and master the nuances of your image, personal style and communication that spell confidence and success.

6. Are you using color in your wardrobe strategically? Want to look confident and to stand out? Wear red or violet? Want to blend in? Wear green. Want people to trust you? Blue is the hue. Each color is associated with specific attributes and when you wear that color, those attributes pass onto you. But of more significance is wearing the colors that are in harmony with your skin hair and eyes-the colors that make you pop. Unsure of what those colors are? Schedule a color assessment consult with me.

7. Is your presence purposeful? My tagline 'presence with a purpose' is not just a cute phrase-it's meant to convey something quite profound. 'Presence' -that ability to project a sense of ease, poise, or self-assurance is an energy and an attitude. It can be magnetic. When it is purposeful, you have created the equivalent of a slam dunk. Know your intention-the effect you want to convey to others. Then dress and act accordingly.

Tranquil Thai Tourism

Mohammad Shahidul Islam

Thailand is a country of picturesque diversity and primeval traditions, of relaxing temples and modern urban zeal. With and independent history going back more than seven centuries, it has managed to absorb a variety of cultural influences and blend them into something exclusively and hauntingly Thai. About this beautiful country there have been published many books round the world. Thailand Tourism (The Haworth Hospitality and Tourism Press) is a recent one by Arthur Asa Berger.

Frequently, amid the plethora of new tourism books, destination studies are making an appearance, and Thailand Tourism is to be hailed. Conversely, this fairly short book is a curious one, implying to address the needs of both students of tourism and potential visitors to Thailand.

In its endeavor to appeal to the distinct markets, Thailand Tourism tends to fall between two stools. Its appeal to the travelers rests on a number of suggestions for tourism itineraries, followed by handy tips on Thai gastronomy, natural and cultural attractions. Nevertheless, these references are intermingled with chapters dealing with violence and marriage in Thai society, Theravada Buddhist practice and the application of semiotics to tourism in Thailand, clearly aimed at the more scholarly reader.

Uncommonly for an academic writer, Mr. Berger, a former Professor of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Art, has empowered a refreshing minimalism of style, which many students at undergraduate level will welcome; but the author's effort to introduce his readers to the writings of sociologists who, inter alia ("among other things"), include Barthes, Baudrillard, Simmel and Lefebvre, with liberal quotations from these writers' books, is ambitious in such a brief work.

The book is definitely successful in highlighting highflying tourism of Thailand. But criticism may go only with the photographs which are not enough to lure five senses of the travelers. Anyway, Thailand Tourism is of course an important book for tourism bookshelf.

New Web Site for House tutors & Students

WP Reporter

www.bdtution.com has been hosted on the Internet. The first full featured tution site in Bangladesh.

There is lots of information about house tutor and about tuitions in this web site. Those who want to work as a tutor can upload their CV free of cost. On the other hand any guardian or student can search tutors using advance search engine in this web site. Searching and uploading CV is hassle free. Any guardian or student can list their tuition requirements in the tuition wanted section. Any tutor can apply online to any choicable tuition. Guardian can easily communicate with the particular applied tutors. There are also special tutors like music tutor, Dance tutor Arabic tutor, IELTS tutors etc on this web site. Lets of advance options enriched this web site for Bangladesh. The address of this web site to www.bdtution.com. Hotline 01711443132

Presenting Guest Chefs of Asia 2008: 'Cuisine of Thailand from The Westin Bangkok’

WP Reporter

Enjoying a Thai meal in Thai way will be very easy for the city dwellers, at Taste restaurant of The Westin Dhaka. After success of Taste of Thailand The Westin Dhaka is bringing back Thai food festival "Cuisine of Thailand" from May 3 to 12, 2008. Two guest chefs Thongchai Khutanon and Rassamee Pratrairaj from The Westin Grand Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand will be showcasing their much revered creations, a result of pure, clean flavors, melded with traditional accents, only in Taste - the all day dining restaurant of The Westin Dhaka.

Delight your taste buds with an authentic Thai Cuisine prepared by the guest chefs. Chef Thongchai's cooking style is drawn from his deep passion for foods and appreciation of the art in its preparation. Chef Thongchai is a renowned name in Bangkok for his outstanding culinary skills. Chef Rassamee is an acclaimed chef, well-known for authentic and innovative cuisine alike.

Thai food offers a variety of flavors and taste, with enthusiastic use of herbs, spices and fresh ingredients. Thai food is famed for its balance and harmony, an exiting combination of five fundamental tastes - hot, sweet, sour, salty and bitter - brings contrasting yet complementing flavors and textures to each dish. Coconut milk, sea food, and fruit also play a key part in Thai Cuisine.

What could be the better way to start other than refreshing salads and soups? Enjoy an array of revitalizing salads and starters from a range of Sour and Tangy Fruit Salad (Yum Pollamai), Spicy Chicken, Shrimp and Glass Noodle Salad (Yum Woonsen Gai and Goong), Seafood Salad with Thai Herbs (Plar Talay) andSpicy Beef Salad with Ground Roasted Rice and Chilli Powder (Larb Nua). Why not try Seafood Combination Soup with Lemongrass, Lime Juice and Chilli (Tom Yam Poo Tak), Beancurd Soup with Seaweed (Tom Jerd Tao Hoo Salai Talay)?

For the food lovers, there is an array of popular Thai dishes to tantalize your taste buds - Chicken Green Curry (Gaeng Kiew Wan Gai), Spicy Beef Curry (Gaeng Phad Nua), Stir Fried Shrimp and Broccoli (Broccoli Phad Goong), Stir Fried Fish with Thai Yellow Curry (Pal Phad Pong Karee), Deep Fried Shrimp Toast (Kanom Pang Na Goong), Crab Fried Rice (Kao Phad Poo), Stir Fried Beancurd with Sweet and Sour Sauce (Priew Wan Tao Hoo), Steamed Jasmine Rice ( Kao Hommali )

A Thai meal is usually followed by a variety of fresh-cut fruits and sweet treats. More elaborate sweet desserts such as Pumpkin Custard, Water Chesnut in Coconut Milk, Mango Sticky Rice, Black Sticky Rice with Coconut, or Banana in Syrup or Yam in Coconut Syrup.

In the press launching event Mr. Calvin Stevenson, Executive Assistant Manager

The Westin Dhaka, Mr. ATM Hafizullah, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Westin Dhaka, Mr. Gerard Wallace, Executive Chef, The Westin Dhaka, Guest Chef Thongchai Khutanon from The Westin Grand Sukhumvit, Bangkok, and Rassamee Pratrairaj, The Westin Grand Sukhumvit, Bangkok were present.

The Trendy Italy with Lobster & Pasta

WP Reporter

Nothing's tastes better than "Italian" entrées like pasta, ravioli, and spaghetti with lobster! Pan Pacific Sonargaon welcomes you to a celestial dining arrangement with a delicious variety of gourmet dishes designed for Italian food lovers .

The festival will continue from 04 May to 14 May 2008 with a sumptuous variety of lobster and pasta dishes. The cuisine is purely Italian so you can dig out and feels right at home during the welcome break from regular food. In addition, there is a live cooking station to order your choice of cooking - well done or mild.

The meal comes in a-la-cart menu with a variety of minimum 10 dishes from 6pm - 11 pm everyday, at " CIAO".

For reservations, please contact 8111005 - 4240.

Dance presentation at Russian Centre of Science & Culture

WP Reporter

A Dance Programme was held on 28 April at 6 p.m at the Auditorium of Russian Centre of Science & Culture in Dhanmondi,Dhaka. A large numbers of audience enjoy the programme up to end.

In first Part of the programme artists of Socio-Cultural Club "Volga" Present 8 numbers of Bangladeshi Traditional Folk and Kothhok Dance Directed by well-known Dance Artist Sohel Rahman.

At first there was, "Baje re baje dekho Bangladesher Dhol………." by performers: Noim, Rinku, Jui & Rinti. Then "Moina Cholat cholat…….." by Sajin, Rodela, Triporna, Neha, Anusa & Noumi. Followed by "Faguner-o Mohonay…." by Mukti, Brishti -1 & Brishti-2.

Then came performers Rinti & Noim with "Baula ke Banailo re…." "Panjabiwala….." by Elma, Shebonti, Oporajita & Sangit. "Maijja Bhai, Saijja Bhai ……" by Noim, Rinku, Mukti & Jui. Then Katthak by Shompa. At last "Ore Shampanouala…" by Noim, Rinku, Brishti -1 & Brishti-2.

The 2nd part of programme Nadim's Euro-Asia CEDS Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio presented 8 number of foreign dance like , Nepali Folk, Cha- cha- cha, Tango & ballet etc.

Introduction

Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri.

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's love for the natural environment dates back to his early childhood years, when he accompanied his father on tours to many parts of the Maldives' archipelago.

After his overseas education and early career as an academic, he held a number of prominent Government posts, including Special Undersecretary to the Prime Minister, Permanent Representative of the Maldives at the United Nations and Minister of Transport. As Special Undersecretary to the Prime Minister, he travelled to every single atoll south of the capital Male'. Yet again, he had the opportunity to experience the intrinsic link between the country's way of life and its pristine marine ecosystems.

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected President of the Republic of Maldives in 1978. It was during his first two terms of presidency that scientific studies and reports first began to appear on the sea-level rise phenomenon. President Gayoom was, of course, deeply concerned. He feared for the security of his people.

Following the 1987 sea-swell flooding of the capital Male', during which he himself experienced a traumatic incident, he was convinced that anthropogenic climatic changes were occurring, and that they posed a grave danger to the low-lying Maldives.

In 1987, with back-to-back addresses at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Vancouver and the UN General Assembly, he began his quest to alert the international community of the perils facing the Maldives. In the two decades since then, he has carried the plea of the Maldives and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at important global and regional forums. The highlights include the 1987 United Nations General Assembly on the Issues of Environment and Development, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio Earth Summit) of 1992, the 1997

United Nations General Assembly Special Session to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21, and-the United Nations Millennium Summit.

President Gayoom is credited with firmly placing the problem of sea-level rise on the climate change diplomacy agenda and securing universal recognition of the fact that the SIDS face unique development challenges, and deserve special status in the UN framework. He had a direct hand in the formation of both the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the United Nations' Small Island States Network (SIDSNet).

In 1998, President Gayoom was included on the UNEP "Global 500" roll of honour for outstanding practical achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment. The Lega Navale Italiana (Italian Naval League) presented him with the coveted Man of the Sea Award for 1990, for his contribution to bringing the problem of global warming and sea-level rise to the attention of the world. He also won the DRV International Environment Award of Germany in 1998. On 7 February 2008, The Energy and Resources Institute of Indiq. (TERI) presented President Gayoom with the "Sustainable Development Leadership Award 2008"

Among his many local environment campaigns are the Greening Campaign of 1983, the Two Million Tree Programme and the Independent Maldives - Clean Maldives Programme.

Following the devastating effects on his country of the December 2004 Asian Tsunami, President Gayoom called on the international community to ensure the security of vulnerable countries such as the Maldives. Lately, he has been campaigning for universal recognition of environmental safety as a fundamental human

right. In November 2007, he also took the initiative to host an international conference to develop an AOSIS common platform for the Bali Climate Summit.

"Paradise Drowning" is an anthology of some of the most memorable environment-related speeches by President Gayoom's. The book commemorates twenty years of environmental diplomacy by President Gayoom, and also includes selected quotes from his some of his interviews on the subject.

The foreword of this book was contributed by the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri.

Paradise Drowning

Joint High-level Segment of the 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCC-C and the 3rd Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 3) Bali, 12 December 2007 May I begin by thanking President Yudhoyono, the Government and the friendly people of Indonesia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me, my wife and members of my delegation.

The last time I visited this beautiful country was in February 2005, to speak at the Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in the Aftermath of the December 2004 Asian Tsunami. We had come together then to resolve an environmental catastrophe, in which hundreds of thousands of people in the region lost their lives and millions were left in despair.

Yet again, we are gathered here to find a speedy solution to a rapidly growing problem of epic proportions that has started to affect millions around the world. Indeed, if we fail in our fight against climate change, the entire world will face sufferings that will far exceed the nightmare of the Tsunami.

Failure, therefore, is not an option!

For over a decade, the IPCC has delivered definitive and unequivocal scientific proof on the many facets of global climate change. The Nobel Peace Prize was no doubt a fitting recognition of IPCC's enormous contribution to this issue over many years.

The IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report makes grim but necessary reading. We are, yet again, reminded of the fate awaiting not only the world's Small Island States, such as the Maldives, but all low-lying areas of the world. Indeed, this Report is a powerful warning of where complacency could take us. The whole world must heed that warning.

The IPCC Report shed new light on the science of climate change, and thereby silenced sceptics who were hanging on a thin thread of uncertainty. The Stern Review proved that climate change could be tackled effectively without submitting our economies to bankruptcy, as some were 'claiming then. The UNDP's most recent Human Development Report identifies the human impacts of climate change, unlike many previous studies that projected the issue as a scientific and environmental one that would affect natural systems, but not human habitats, health and well-being.

I firmly believe that this forum, more than any other in recent years, provides us with a golden opportunity to steer a new course that is free of scepticism, caution and confusion.

Twenty years ago, I spoke at the UN General Assembly on the dangers climate change poses to the Maldives and other Small Island States. I was focusing then on the prospect of an impending catastrophe. Today, that catastrophe is looming large on the horizon. Sea-level data over the past decade confirm our worst fears. Fears that, without immediate action, the long-term habitation of our tiny islands is in serious doubt.

Ten years ago, the fragile coral reefs that protect us from the fury of the ocean suffered severe bleaching following a prolonged EI Nino. Furthermore, increased incidents of flooding from storm surges and sea swells have put many of our people in grave danger. Earlier this year, 70 of our islands were simultaneously affected by sea swells, extensively damaging key infrastructure and homes. Over half of our islands are eroding at an alarming rate. In some cases, island communities have had to move further inland or relocate to safer islands. Some varieties of fish in our waters are dying, in their hundreds of thousands, of a mysterious cause.

Climate change has now become a daily reality in the Maldives and other Small Island States. With meagre financial resources and limited capacity to mitigate or adapt, climate change has become the defining issue of the 21st century. Our severe lack of adaptive capacity, including financial, technical, and institutional resources, mean we are ill-prepared to deal with these multiple threats. All the while, the impending long-term effects of sea-level rise are drawing ever closer.

It is with a deep sense of honour that I present to this august gathering, the sentiments of the people of South Asia. In a short while, you will receive a copy of the SAARC Declaration on Climate Change, which was adopted by the SAARC Council of Ministers last week. SAARC countries have entrusted me with the responsibility of presenting this Declaration at this Conference. I sincerely hope that you will consider in your deliberations here the sentiments of the 1.5 billion people in our region. Many of our people are being adversely impacted, and in many cases displaced as a consequence of sea-level rise, river bank erosion, drought, severe storms and cyclones, accelerated melting of the Himalayan glaciers and permanent inundation.

The impacts of climate change will be felt sooner, rather than later, in every nation, every community, and every neighbourhood. These impacts will pose huge economic, social and political challenges for all countries. But of course, the

Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States would be faced with a much greater challenge than the rest of the world.

For more than 20 years, the LDCs and the SIDS have worked hard to raise global awareness on these threats. We have watched as climate change has changed focus from an issue of scientific conflict to one of political recrimination. In 2007, our goal must be to protect the most vulnerable Parties to the Convention on Climate Change, both in the short- and in the long-term. Our overriding focus must be to put people back at the heart of the climate change issue.

Just as the IPCC has brought the global science down to the personal level, we must now bring the human dimension of climate change into our debate. With this in mind, the Maldives and other Small Island Developing States, adopted last month the Male' Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change.

'There are three main challenges that confront the Maldives today. Thriey are security of small states) sustainable development and environmental challenges. Sea-level rise is one of the top priorities for us during the coming century) but it is certainly not the only

one.

Interview to France NeJvs Magazine Geopolis November 1999 We believe that climate change must be viewed not only as a danger to natural systems, but also as a direct threat to human survival and well-being. We are convinced that this negotiation process must not be viewed as a traditional series of governmental trade-offs, but as an urgent international effort to safeguard human lives, homes, rights and livelihoods.

The Bali Process must have a clear long-term target to stabilize the climate system, and ensure that temperature rises are reined in to reasonable levels. Even a 2°C increase compared to preindustrial levels would have devastating consequences on small island states. Moreover, the four negotiating pathways we have discussed here in Bali - mitigation, adaptation, technology, and financing - must not be viewed in isolation from each other, but rather as integrated and mutually supportive components of a unified endeavour.

Adaptation must be at the heart of a post-2012 climate agreement. International activity on adaptation must include vulnerability assessments, enhanced resilience to climate impacts, building human and institutional capacity, and making public and private investments in developing countries less vulnerable to climate change.

The UNFCCC adaptation fund must be adequately resourced. It must also become easily accessible to the Small Island Developing States.

The SIDS are committed to advancing negotiations within the framework of the UNFCCC towards a global and comprehensive agreement to stabilize the climate system. This work must be completed by 2009 at the very latest. Here in Bali, we must agree on a roadmap for negotiations, setting out clear, time-bound milestones up to Copenhagen.

There can be no more delay, nor more distractions. After all, there is no more time.

Let us ensure that, two years from now, we look back at today as an opportunity grasped, and not as another one that had

got away.

Here in Bali, we have the right ingredients in setting, timing and leadership for a historic change.

The question is whether we have the will.

The answer must be a resounding YES!

Our people deserve no less than that.