In May 2024, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) convened in Antigua and Barbuda and received renewed commitments from the 51吃瓜, international partners, and the global community to address their unique development challenges.
1. Build resilient economies:
听 - Enhance inter-island and global supply chain connectivity.
听 - Promote science, technology, innovation, and digitalization to drive economic growth.
听 - Strengthen data collection, analysis, and capacity building for evidence-informed policymaking.
听 - Establish a SIDS Center of Excellence in Antigua and Barbuda, including a SIDS Data Hub, a technology and innovation mechanism, and an Island Investment Forum.
听 - Expand productive capacities and increase trade and investment opportunities.
听 - Promote sustainable tourism and ocean-based economies through public-private partnerships and innovative financing solutions.
2. Foster safe, healthy, and prosperous societies:
听 - Promote peaceful, inclusive societies and build effective institutions.
听 - Address poverty, unemployment, inequality, and exclusion, particularly among vulnerable populations.
听 - Strengthen health systems and social protection, focusing on communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improving health literacy.
听 - Achieve gender equality, empower women and youth, and ensure inclusive participation and representation in decision-making processes.
3. Secure a sustainable future:
听 - Foster sustainable energy transitions and improve access to renewable energy.
听 - Develop integrated water resources management and enhance climate resilience to water-related hazards.
听 - Enhance food security through climate-resilient agricultural practices and sustainable fisheries management.
听 - Build resilient infrastructure to support economic growth and improve living conditions.
4. Environmental protection and planetary sustainability:
听 - Take urgent action on climate change through the effective implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
听 - Conserve and sustainably use marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
听 - Mainstream disaster risk reduction through improved governance, infrastructure resilience, and early warning systems.
Due to their small size, geographical remoteness, dispersed populations, and limited economic diversification, SIDS are particularly vulnerable to external shocks, climate change, and natural disasters. The recently concluded UN Conference on SIDS charted a new course to tackle these challenges.
African SIDS
The ABAS holds promise for African SIDS, including Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, and Seychelles.听
These nations face significant hurdles, including the compounded impacts of the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing climate crisis. Despite contributing less than 1% of global carbon dioxide emissions, they are on the frontlines of climate change, experiencing severe consequences such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss.
As the ABAS outlines a comprehensive framework designed to address those unique challenges, African SIDS have an opportunity to take advantage of targeted interventions to foster sustainable development and shore up their resilience.
Improved inter-island and global supply chain connectivity听will reduce transportation costs, facilitating trade and economic integration. This is particularly beneficial for countries with dispersed island territories, enhancing their access to regional and international markets.
Support for renewable energy听projects will help achieve ambitious energy targets, reducing reliance on imported fuels and promoting energy security. Coupled with promoting sustainable tourism, these measures will diversify economies, create jobs, and enhance environmental protection. Countries with vibrant tourism sectors stand to benefit significantly from these initiatives.
Improvements in healthcare access and capacity building for health emergencies听will enhance the resilience of health systems. Strengthening disaster preparedness and early warning systems will mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, crucial for nations prone to extreme weather events.
Investments in advanced technologies and the digital economy听will reduce dependency on traditional sectors, fostering economic diversification. Strengthening institutional and technical capacity for data collection and policy implementation will enhance governance and enable better decision-making.
Climate-resilient agricultural practices and food security initiatives听will improve livelihoods and reduce vulnerability. This is vital for nations where agriculture plays a significant role in the economy, ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods.
Support for sustainable fisheries, marine tourism, and ocean-based renewable energy听will boost the blue economy. Strengthened marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management will support marine biodiversity, benefiting nations with extensive coastal and marine resources.
Investment in resilient infrastructure, particularly in transportation and water management, will support economic growth and improve living conditions. This will be especially beneficial for countries facing infrastructural challenges, enhancing their capacity to withstand and recover from external shocks.
Looking Ahead
The SIDS4 Conference has set the stage for the Summit of the Future, scheduled to take place at UN Headquarters in New York from September 22-23, 2024. This summit will be a critical moment to renew multilateralism and ensure that the most vulnerable countries, including African SIDS, have access to the finance and technology needed to support the Sustainable Development Goals.
