探花精选

Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues,

At the outset, I wish to join USG Li in expressing our sincere thanks for the opportunity to address you today, as we are preparing for the upcoming SIDS4 Conference. I have just returned from COP28, where the SIDS agenda took center stage. SIDS are disproportionally impacted by the adverse effects of climate change. The urgency of the challenges these nations face is clear. The escalating frequency and intensity of climate related disasters continues to disrupt the lives and livelihoods of people living in islands and coastal communities. Climate change-driven disasters have negatively affected debt to GDP ratios and stalled sustainable development.

Over the past half-century, the weather, climate, and water related hazards have resulted in $153 billion losses for SIDS. Adding to this challenge, only 2% of climate financing in 2019 reached SIDS. Despite these difficult circumstances, SIDS voices were clearly heard in Dubai. It was very encouraging to see an agreement to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund last week, as well as pledges of over $420 million towards the Fund.

Excellencies,

Now is the time to build on this momentum from COP as we accelerate towards the SIDS4 Conference in May. My office, together with DESA, is working with a Communications and Advocacy Strategy in collaboration with the Department of Global Communications to promote the SIDS4 Conference. We are making every effort to disseminate important information about the Conference as widely as possible. With the help of regular virtual briefings, webinars, newsletters, and stakeholder engagements. Our dedicated advocacy core group is working with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to highlight the unique culture and heritage of the SIDS, especially how they can contribute to the 2030 agenda. In our efforts, we have also engaged the youth in collaboration with the Youth Envoy’s Office.

Excellencies,

In addition to the specific approaches I’ve just mentioned, we continue to seek every opportunity to amplify the voices of SIDS on the road to the Conference. Allow me to highlight some examples.

First, at COP28, my Office co-organized an event with AOSIS on Loss and Damage where discussions focused on means to address the critical financing needs of SIDS. We also joined forces with partners such as the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to highlight critical issues such as trade facilitation and climate induced migration for vulnerable countries including SIDS.

Second, we led a dialogue with the private sector through the SIDS Global Business Network Forum. Preceding the Conference in 2024, the SIDS-GBN Forum will aim to get increased support from the private sector for the sustainable development of SIDS. We have also scheduled a series of preparatory webinars for the SIDS-GBN Forum, to explore strategies in support of the new SIDS Programme of Action. We look forward to your engagements in this process.

Third, my Office is currently working towards producing a report on digital transformation, in close collaboration with other UN agencies. We will carry out country-specific case studies for Kiribati, Sao Tome and Principe, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, representing the three SIDS regions. The studies will produce knowledge products that can inform discussions during the preparatory process of the SIDS4 Conference and the negotiations of the new Programme of Action.

Fourth, we have recently published a report on promising sectors for economic transformation in SIDS. The report assesses SIDS trade performance since the SAMOA Pathway in 2014, focusing on sectors including the blue economy, cosmetics production, e-commerce, and sustainable tourism. It also contains policy recommendations for the new Programme of Action. Our sincere thanks to partners from the International Trade Centre (ITC) including UNCTAD and several SIDS Missions in Geneva for their contributions in this report.

Fifth, the SIDS National Focal Points network led by my Office represents another key initiative. We are finalizing the SIDS NFP Engagement Strategy which will facilitate the network in localization of the new Programme of Action. It will guide the NFPs in carrying out their main functions in support of the new Programme of Action. Finally, as a member of the Advisory Panel to the Secretary- General's Early Warning For All initiative, I will continue to work with my UN counterparts to ensure the most vulnerable nations remain a priority.

Excellencies,

The success of the SIDS4 Conference depends on robust funding support. To this end, we are working to strengthen partnerships with key development partners, financial institutions, and others. Our efforts in mobilizing resources for the Conference have resulted in positive commitments from our partners towards the Conference's trust fund. The support will help with the participation of SIDS from the three regions, sponsoring a total of 4 representatives from SIDS capitals, plus 2 representatives from SIDS Mission in New York, one of which will be at the Ambassadorial level. Another 2 representatives from associate members of Regional Commissions will also be sponsored. We are making good progress towards our funding goal and our diligent outreach will continue.

Excellencies,