This event was hosted by the United Kingdom, in partnership with the 2024 SIDS Summit hosts, Antigua & Barbuda, and the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)
Executive Summary
2024 will see the UN 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States
(SIDS), a once-in-a-decade opportunity for transformational change to support acutely
vulnerable states. On the frontline of climate change, SIDS represent 25% of developing
states, steward one third of the global ocean, and protect unique but fragile biodiversity.
SIDS face unique economic problems due to their narrow economies and high trade
dependence. This includes lack of access to finance, and susceptibility to economic and
natural disaster shocks. These problems constrain the ability of SIDS to adapt to climate
change. The problems of SIDS are exacerbated by small state systems, that mean that
when finance is available it is often too difficult to access due to onerous bureaucratic
systems. In advance of the 2024 UN SIDS Conference (SIDS4), this event considered
how finance, particularly for climate adaptation, can be improved.
This event was hosted by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office (FCDO), in partnership with SIDS4 hosts, Antigua & Barbuda, and the UN Office of
the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing
Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS). Attendees included key
stakeholders from multilateral development banks, development partners and Pacific,
Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS), and Caribbean SIDS, including both
high-level representatives and issue specialists.
The event focused on the need for improved access to finance for the most vulnerable
states as part of the journey towards SIDS4. It aimed to support participants to find
avenues for change that will support effective agreements and transformative action
ahead of the 2024 Conference, which may be the last chance for action.
The discussions covered:
- Ensuring that the 2024 process helps to deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact for
SIDS. - Addressing multilateral systems to promote more effective support for small, low-capacity states.
- Improving access to climate finance for SIDS, in particular adaptation finance,
through the 2024 Conference process. - Considering the role all providers of development finance have in supporting
SIDS
-
1.1 No Island is an Island
Read personal reflections on the event from Fijian student Adisovanatabua U. K Navoti, an event participant.