This press release was originally published on SPC's website.
The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) took place from May 27-30, 2024, in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. Under the theme “Charting the Course toward Resilient Prosperity,” the conference evaluated the progress of SIDS in achieving sustainable development, including the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda.
The SIDS conference is a global forum that brings together delegates from small island nations to address sustainable development challenges, climate change, and economic resilience. It aims to foster collaboration, propose innovative solutions, and secure international support to promote resilient prosperity for these vulnerable communities.
Ten years ago, the SIDS3 conference was held in the Pacific, hosted by Samoa. This year's SIDS4 conference built on that foundation, continuing the critical dialogue on achieving resilient prosperity for small island nations around the world. The One CROP (Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific) team convened to provide collaborative support to Pacific SIDS and help ensure that the unique challenges and opportunities of the region were well-represented and addressed.
One notable key outcome of the conference was the successful adoption of the "Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS: A Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity" (ABAS). Delegates recommended that the United Nations General Assembly endorse this agenda during its upcoming 78th session.
However, despite its formal adoption, the ABAS drew criticism for its perceived lack of civil society representation and unresolved issues important among SIDS, such as deep-sea mining and the decarbonisation of shipping. These concerns highlighted the need for more frequent SIDS conferences, as many agreed to wait another ten years for the next conference was too long, as well as having the establishment of five-year plans to ensure timely and accountable progress.
During plenary sessions, a wide range of critical issues were addressed. Key topics included ambitious climate action, reducing the debt burden, and adopting a global climate financing goal. Other important discussions focused on waste management, the needs of vulnerable communities, disaster risk reduction, support for local food systems, and implementing the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI).
These high-level plenary sessions allowed the conference to facilitate discussions around the challenges and opportunities for SIDS in various domains in side events and panel discussions, which the Pacific Community (SPC) alongside One CROP were able to provide expert knowledge and key insights.
“Engaging in meaningful discussions on making climate finance work for SIDS, and revitalising our economies through innovative financial products and debt relief is crucial for the Pacific SIDS. The SIDS conference was a great platform to discuss the pressing issues facing our region, and is essential for Pacific communities to build resilient and prosperous futures in the face of unique challenges and special circumstances of all SIDS,” said Ms Anne-Claire, Programme Manager at SPC’s Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Division.
The SIDS4 conference underscored the urgent need for enhanced collaboration, innovative financing solutions, and robust international support to achieve resilient prosperity for Small Island Developing States. The adoption of the ABAS and the diverse discussions throughout the event set a hopeful yet urgent tone for the future, emphasising the need for immediate and sustained action to address the unique challenges faced by SIDS. The conference successfully highlighted the commitment to sustainable development for small island nations, with continued dialogue and new initiatives born from the event reinforcing the importance of ongoing efforts to secure a resilient and prosperous future for all vulnerable island communities.
The SIDS4 conference was held from 27 to 30 May 2024. The Pacific Community (SPC) attended the conference as part of One CROP (Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific) collaborative efforts to support Pacific SIDS delegations in attendance. For more information, please visit the SIDS4 Conference webpage.
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