At the upcoming 4th International Conference on Small Island Development States (SIDS), nations across the globe will converge to review SIDS’s sustainable development progress as they propose a new decade of partnership and solutions to supercharge the path to resilient prosperity.

Spearheaded by the United Nations (UN), the conference is to present a new programme of action for SIDS as they position to treat some of the perils of this era. The highly anticipated event further seeks to build on the outcomes of previous conferences as it sets a new development agenda for SIDS over the next 10 years.

SIDS, a distinct group of 39 states and 18 associate members of the UN regional commissions, continues to face unique challenges due to their narrow economies and high trade dependence which often results in a lack of access to finance and susceptibility to economic and natural disaster shocks.

“SIDS are in the crossfires of multiple crises: climate change, the economic and social repercussions of COVID-19, and a crisis of debt,” the UN said, noting that the pandemic hugely impacted all island nations, especially those dependent on tourism while global lockdowns left large holes in some of the islands’ coffers, severely setting back efforts to invest in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Meanwhile, climate action is becoming increasingly urgent, as weather-related disasters have doubled in two decades: with island nations both most vulnerable and least responsible,” the global body further indicated.

Cognisant of all these challenges, the UN is its response and moving towards developing meaningful solution has expressed its readiness to offer further support to SIDS.

“The United Nations is committed to supporting islands in their quest for a more resilient and sustainable future. They may be geographically remote, but their problems are not theirs to face alone,” Li Junhua, Under-secretary general for economic and social affairs at the UN stated.

According to a key objective said to have emerged from preparatory meetings held ahead of the conference, the new 10-year plan aims to focus on practical and impactful solutions to ensure that SIDS is able to maintain their developmental gains and to provide opportunities that will give their citizens a sustainable and safe future.

“To return SIDS to an upward development track, the 10-year agenda from SIDS4 must contain practical, applicable and achievable solutions,” a recommendation from one of the preparatory meetings outlined.

Held under the theme ‘Charting the course towards resilient prosperity’, the conference is schedule to run from May 27-30 in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.

“I consider it a great honour as the minister of foreign affairs of Antigua and Barbuda to welcome you to our beautiful nation. Antigua and Barbuda, like many other SIDS, faces a unique set of challenges that require immediate support. From the threats of climate change and natural disasters, to the limitations of our economies, we are constantly striving to overcome these obstacles and to create a sustainable future for our citizens,” said Everly Paul Chet Greene, foreign affairs minister of Antigua and Barbuda.