St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Representatives of civil society organizations,
Welcome to SIDS4,
It is an honour for me to address you today at this Civil Society Forum.
Allow me to begin by expressing, on behalf of UN DESA, our deep appreciation to the civil society networks and organizations for their collaborative support to SIDS’ development efforts, both within and beyond this conference.
I particularly commend your efforts to develop your own Action Plan and Roadmap to support the outcome of this Conference, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).
I would also like to thank the host country, Antigua and Barbuda and our colleagues in OHRLLS, for their invaluable support, and their contributions to this Forum.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Throughout the preparations for the SIDS4 Conference, we have been repeatedly reminded of the multifaceted and complex challenges that SIDS face —ranging from the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation to economic vulnerabilities and social inequalities.
The ABAS highlights priorities and sets out our roadmap for the next 10 years to address these challenges and help SIDS achieve sustainable development.
The ABAS outlines the support required from the international community, while also underscoring the significance of collaboration, partnership, and participation at all levels, including civil society's involvement.
Indeed, to make the ABAS a reality, we need the participation and contributions of all stakeholders, be it civil society, community-based organizations, academia, youth, women, indigenous peoples, and others.
As civil society organizations with diverse backgrounds, you can contribute to this collective journey by sharing your knowledge, and pioneering innovative solutions, grassroots initiatives, and advocacy campaigns on the ground.
You can also provide essential support to governments’ efforts and inform their decision-making processes through data and information sharing.
Your role is vital as we move ahead.
Your voice matters.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today’s CSO Forum marks a promising start for this inclusive dialogue.
I look forward to learning from your expertise, good practices, and aspirations in support of this new agenda.
As we embark on this collective journey, let us reaffirm our unwavering commitment to partnership, solidarity, and shared responsibility.
Thank you.