Event Overview:
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are facing multiple crises: climate change, the repercussions of COVID-19, and a crisis of debt. Unique and extreme challenges face SIDS including size, remoteness and limited resources, disproportionate exposure to economic, social and environmental shocks that result in economic and infrastructure damage, displacement of people and loss of lives. Despite these challenges, SIDS continue to lead in advancing ocean governance and solutions to climate change and plastic pollution.
The side event, “Showcasing Successes and Navigating the Next Decade of Action with SIDS,” aims to highlight the challenges and opportunities for SIDS, hear from SIDS leadership on what SIDS want, announce UNEP’s commitments to SIDS in chartering the course toward resilient prosperity for the next decade, and give young leaders a seat at the table.
UNEP, with partners, are committed to supporting SIDS to enhance the protection, restoration and sustainable use of their resources through nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation, community economic development through a sustainable blue economy, and pollution prevention practices. UNEP also supports SIDS in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals, the objectives of the SAMOA Pathway, Barbados Programme of Action, Mauritius Strategy, UNEA Resolution 2/4, UNGA Resolution A/RES/69/15, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the High Seas Treaty.
UNEP, with UNESCO, UNDESA and UNFCCC support the SIDS Coalition for Nature, launched in December 2022 as an organizing mechanism to unite SIDS member on agreed common priorities and needs to implement biodiversity objectives. The SIDS Coalition for Nature is also a key partner in the SIDS Decade of Restoration Flagship which aims to strengthen SIDS’ integration of marine and coastal ecosystem restoration and conservation with economic recovery and sustainable development growth.
More information:
- Official 4th International Conference on SIDS Conference
- UNEP’s work with SIDS
- UNEP’s SIDS Restoration Flagship
- SIDS Coalition for Nature
*Banner image credits: roman_ry from Unsplash