Partnerships for Sustainable Development in Small States examines measures through which small states can work together with the international community to strengthen their ability to pursue economic and social development. Due to their size and vulnerability, national practices alone would leave these countries unable to cope with the pressing challenges they face in areas such as climate change, sustainable manufacturing and renewable energy technologies. In chapter one, development planning specialist Cletus I Springer examines the scope for effective partnerships and reviews the progress...

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from a small states perspective. The authors compare the performance of 46 small island developing states (SIDS) with 10 benchmark states, illuminating achievements and highlighting areas in which countries are falling behind. The data, 2000-2010, shows that despite their many commonalities, a 'big divide' separates these countries across the range of MDG economic, social and environmental indicators. The report also highlights aspects of the MDG system that are not well attuned to the...