Honourable Co-Chairs,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
As Secretary-General of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, it is my honour to address the Preparatory Committee.
SIDS4 is taking place at a critical juncture. Many SIDS are still recovering from the double shocks of the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, while also dealing with rapidly accelerating impacts of climate change, and the ripple effects of mounting geopolitical tensions, among other global challenges.
With just seven years left to realise the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, chronic underfinancing of sustainable development means that SIDS face greater gaps to achieving the SDGs than the rest of the world.
The outcome of your negotiations must be a programme of action with a level of ambition that rises to the real challenges and existential threats that SIDS are confronting.
It must be ambitious whilst also being practical with achievable, measurable targets and milestones. It must be an action list, not a wish list.
The new ten-year programme of action must help SIDS move from vulnerability to resilience by identifying concrete measures to revitalize the economies of SIDS; strengthen their environmental resilience; promote equity, inclusion, peaceful societies and safe communities; and bolster their institutional and statistical capacities.
It must also provide the means of implementation needed for SIDS to achieve their development objectives, including context-driven capacity-building and genuine and durable partnerships.
The regional and interregional preparatory meetings hosted by Mauritius, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga and Cabo Verde, laid important foundations for your work.
Through these meetings, SIDS agreed to a shared vision, with a clear set of priorities and recommendations. It is my hope that you can work together to translate this into an action-oriented outcome, in the spirit of solidarity.
Colleagues,
As you will embark on week-long discussions on SIDS4, let me share three reflections for your consideration.
First, this fourth programme of action for SIDS will come at a critical time for achieving the SDGs and securing the future sustainability of SIDS. We must break the mould and take a new approach to ensure that this outcome drives transformative change.
Second, the Mid-Term Review of the SAMOA Pathway provided an opportunity for reflection on the challenges in achieving SIDS sustainable development objectives to date. Let us revisit the lessons learned. A resonant message from the preparatory process is the importance of developing a comprehensive monitoring framework, with clear targets. The UN system stands ready to assist in this regard.
Finally, amidst the current confluence of crises we must capitalize on the renewed urgency to tackle structural inequality, address vulnerability, and deliver on fairer and more sustainable climate and development finance to deliver better outcomes for SIDS. As we shape the SIDS4 outcome, we should also consider the opportunities provided by the Summit of the Future.
Distinguished delegates,
There is much work to do. You are facing strong headwinds, but I am confident that by working together, you can adjust your sails and set a course towards a resilient future for SIDS.
As Secretary-General of SIDS4, I again pledge the full support and commitment of DESA and the entire UN family to this intergovernmental process. My team and I will be with you every step of the way, offering whatever assistance you need to deliver a transformative outcome.
I wish you all the best for your deliberations.
Thank you.