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The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)
The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)
The international community gathered on a small island in the Caribbean from 27 – 30 May 2024 to highlight the challenges that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face on a daily basis. There was agreement amongst participants that SIDS remain a special case for sustainable development owing to their unique challenges from its small size, geographical remoteness, narrow resource base making them vulnerable to external shocks. From this understanding, the General Assembly adopted a new declaration for renewed prosperity - the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).
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The ABAS is the new 10 year programme of action for the SIDS. It puts forth a new, ambitious course for SIDS’ sustainable development.
To effectively address the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), it is imperative that all stakeholders, from global, regional, and local levels, including member states, development partners, and the UN System, work together.
SIDS Key Priorities
SIDS have clearly outlined their priorities and require our support in the following areas:
- Building Economic Resilience
- Scaling-up Climate Action and Support
- Scaling-up Biodiversity Action
- Conserving and Sustainably Using Ocean Resources
- Mainstreaming Disaster Risks
- Ensuring Safe and Healthy Societies
- Data Collection, Analysis, and Utilization
- Advancing Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digitalization
- Promoting Productive Populations
- Fostering Partnerships
Key Messages
To achieve these ambitions, SIDS are calling for increased access to concessional finance through:
- Expanding multilateral lending
- Enhancing the voice and representation of SIDS in international financial institutions
- Incorporating vulnerability into the allocation of concessional finance
- Establishing a Debt Sustainability Support Service to help manage debt levels sustainably
Photo: UN Photo/Manuel Elías
ABAS and the UN System
ABAS represents a pivotal moment for the UN System, aiming to transcend the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mainstreaming the new Programme of Action is crucial for advancing the SIDS agenda. The UN System and other organizations possess the necessary competencies to drive this agenda forward. It is incumbent upon all UN system members, particularly within the context of the Inter-Agency Consultative Group (IACG), to leverage their respective mandates and contribute optimally to the SIDS cause.
Enhanced complementarity and synergies among UN system members are often required to achieve this goal. The IACG remains a vital forum, as outlined in its Terms of Reference.
The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) will collaborate with Regional Commissions, the SIDS Regional Commission Network, Multi-Country Offices, and UN Country Teams to ensure ABAS is prominently featured in the design of sustainable development cooperation frameworks.
OHRLLS will also continue working with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) to strengthen inter-agency coordination mechanisms for more effective and efficient programming. Additionally, OHRLLS will engage with the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent to further support SIDS.
Photo: Asian Development Bank
SIDS Partnerships
Partnerships remain the cornerstone for the implementation of the ABAS.
Since 2014, the with support from DESA and OHRLLS, has launched new, innovative, and genuinely durable partnerships for sustainable development.
ABAS represents a new decade of partnerships and solutions to accelerate SIDS' path to resilient and sustainable prosperity.
SIDS will need strategic partnerships and international support at all levels, including with a range of Development Partners. Partnerships based on mutual respect, including in the context of South-South and triangular cooperation, will be critical to ensuring a successful future for SIDS.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
Climate Change
Climate change poses existential threats to SIDS, manifesting through rising sea levels, intensifying natural disasters, and severe impacts on critical economic sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. Urgent action is required to:
- Implement the Paris Agreement
- Scale-up climate finance in line with existing obligations and commitments
It is untenable that only 2% of global climate finance currently reaches SIDS, highlighting a clear disparity. The operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, an outcome of COP28 following decades of advocacy, is essential. This fund must be properly capitalized and disbursed to reach all SIDS effectively.