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SIDS4 conference: A vital step to more resilient and prosperous Small Island Developing States

The 39 small islands, home to approximately 65 million people, are stewards of the ocean and gatekeepers to some of our planet’s most important biodiversity. However, these countries are grappling with a series of overlapping crises that threatens their very existence. High import and export costs, a rising debt crisis and the worsening impacts of climate change have aggravated their situation further.

The case for ensuring enhanced global support for these vulnerable island nations is clear. It means building a more sustainable economy, creating a more robust resilience against climate change, building a state-of-the-art early warning system for all, and safeguarding biodiversity. This is not just about generating revenue through industries for SIDS, but also helping prevent additional costs that can result from climate change, soil erosion, pollution, floods, or natural disasters.

Some progress has been made in the SIDS over the last decade, through the implementation of the Samoa Pathway. But more needs to be done. Some goals are yet to be reached, while new challenges have emerged.

This is why the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) is so important. The Conference, which takes place in Antigua and Barbuda, is a once-in- a-decade opportunity for the world to demonstrate solidarity with SIDS and work toward a future that is more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable.

As the High Representative for SIDS and Special Advisor for SIDS4, I draw upon our collective strength, partnership, and collaboration to support the SIDS overcome their daunting challenges.  Everyone has a role to play to ensure that the SIDS4 Conference is a great success and a truly transformative event.

The culmination of the Conference will be the adoption of a new 10-year programme of action.

This  programme of action, the , sets out the sustainable development  aspirations of SIDS and the support required from the international community to fulfill those.

To achieve these goals, SIDS have called for an urgent restructuring of global finance, especially to ensure fairness for vulnerable countries. SIDS need increased access to concessional finance, through expanding multilateral lending. They also require better representation in international financial institutions and the incorporation of vulnerability into the allocation of concessional finance. Support is also required for SIDS to sustainably manage their debt levels.

SIDS also made it clear that there should be immediate and urgent support for them to respond to short-term emergency situations, while support measures for addressing long-term structural constraints need to be further enhanced. This will enable them to build resilient economies and foster safe, healthy, and prosperous societies.

The new Agenda also addresses achieving water, food, and energy security; conserving biodiversity; protecting and sustainably using the ocean and its resources; and halting and urgently mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change.

The establishment of a SIDS Center of   Excellence by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, is a key deliverable of the ABAS and holds much potential for the future.  The full operationalization of the Center will immensely help accelerate the implementation of the ABAS and the 2030 Agenda. Central to this endeavor is the SIDS Global Data Hub, a mechanism that will be operated and hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, in collaboration with the PVBLIC Foundation, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and other UN agencies.

This endeavor, as with all those announced at SIDS4, requires solidarity and action from the international community. Small Island Developing States are increasingly vulnerable, and it is imperative to protect them and promote their future resilience and prosperity. 

Let us seize this opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind and creating a more just and sustainable future for all.