Dr Stefano Moncada, lecturer and researcher based at the Institute for European Studies and board member of the Islands and Small States Institute, delivered an expert view in a Parliamentary hearing in connection to a meeting organised by the Small Branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), held in Malta from the 29 to the 31 January 2020.
The Small Branches of the CPA includes members from more than 30 jurisdictions with populations of up to a current ceiling of 500,000 people. Members discuss political problems and the operation of democratic systems in some of the world’s smallest jurisdictions.
The CPA Small Branches organised a sustainable economic development workshop in Malta, where parliamentarians from small commonwealth legislatures heard evidence from experts on trade opportunities, economic empowerment and social progress.
In his speech, Dr Moncada stressed the importance of inclusion and equality in progress towards the sustainable development goals, the need for Governments to intervene to address market and social failures, especially when considering issues in relation to the small size of markets and resources. He also highlighted the higher costs being borne by small states and jurisdictions, when compared to larger ones, to build and strengthen their resilience.