Fifth annual in person meeting of the SIDS National Focal Points Network

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Monday, 14 October 2024 - 9:00am to Wednesday, 16 October 2024 - 5:15pm

The SIDS Story

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been recognized as a special case for both environment and development since the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. This recognition has been reiterated in subsequent decennial conferences, including those in Barbados (1994), Mauritius (2005), and Samoa (2014). Despite three decades of international support and three specific programs of action, SIDS continue to face unique vulnerabilities that hinder their sustainable development. These vulnerabilities include small size, geographical remoteness, dispersed populations, limited economic diversification, and extreme exposure to natural hazards and climate change impacts.

SIDS have demonstrated remarkable resilience and leadership, particularly in areas such as finance, climate change, and ocean stewardship. They manage 19.1% of the world's Exclusive Economic Zones and have been at the forefront of progressive policies and actions in the multilateral arena. However, they remain disproportionately affected by global crises, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, which have exacerbated their economic and social challenges.

The international community must continue to recognize the special case of SIDS and support their efforts to diversify economies, strengthen state and productive capacities, and access concessional finance. This support is crucial for mitigating fiscal constraints, reducing indebtedness, and preventing the reversal of development gains. Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, particularly renewable energy, is also essential for SIDS' sustainable development. Additionally, the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment is recognized as a driver of economic growth and sustainable development in SIDS.

Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS – a Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity

In May 2024, the international community gathered for the fourth international SIDS conference in Antigua and Barbuda, where they adopted the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS). This landmark achievement sets out bold and necessary steps to ensure resilient prosperity for SIDS, achieved through partnerships with the international community. ABAS comes at a critical time, amid the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical crises, the growing threat of climate change, and rising nationalism that challenges multilateralism.

ABAS reinforces that SIDS' voices and priorities cannot be sidelined. The agenda calls for international support in key areas including:

Building Economic Resilience;
Scale-up Climate Action and Support;
Scale up Biodiversity Action;
Conserve and Sustainably Use of Ocean and its Resources;??
Mainstreaming Disaster Risks;??
Safe and Healthy Societies;???
Data collection, Analysis and Use;??
Science, Technology, Innovation and Digitalization;??
Productive Populations; and??
Partnerships?

The Role of National Focal Points (NFPs)

National Focal Points (NFPs) are crucial to the successful implementation of SIDS' programs of action, including ABAS. They play a pivotal role in integrating these international frameworks into national development strategies and providing insight into the challenges faced on the ground. The NFPs ensure that international support aligns with the specific needs of SIDS, particularly in terms of implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

The NFP Network also serves as a bridge between national efforts and regional initiatives, making it a vital mechanism for ensuring ABAS' integration into broader frameworks like the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since its inception, the NFP Network has met in person four times (2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023), and virtually during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. These meetings have fostered the sharing of best practices, peer learning, and coordination of SIDS-related initiatives at national, regional, and global levels. Additionally, they have worked to mainstream the SIDS agenda within the UN Development System, particularly through Resident Coordinator networks and UN Country Teams.

In 2024, during the SIDS4 Conference, the NFPs launched an Engagement Strategy to guide their efforts in effectively implementing ABAS over the next decade. This strategy will support NFPs in driving meaningful action and achieving tangible outcomes for the SIDS community.