The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), hosted by Antigua and Barbuda on 27-30 May 2024, will convene global leaders to deliver a bold new programme of action to support small island nations in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
These 39 small islands, home to approximately 65 million people, are stewards of the ocean and gatekeepers to a high degree of biodiversity. However, these countries are grappling with high import and export costs, a rising debt crisis and the worsening impacts of climate change.
The four-day Conference will seek to deliver specific initiatives and concrete deliverables to address critical SIDS-specific challenges including the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and spiraling debt. World leaders will join the private sector, civil society and young people to advance new ideas, raise new pledges of support and cover critical issues for the future of SIDS, such as economic revitalization, climate finance, aid effectiveness, data and digital innovation, as well as health and youth.
The Conference will open with statements expected from the UN Secretary-General, the President of the Conference, the President of the UN General Assembly, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council, the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, the Secretary-General of the Conference and a youth representative.
In addition to eight plenary meetings and five interactive dialogues, the Conference will feature five high-level special events: the SIDS Children and Youth Action Summit, the SIDS4 Civil Society Forum, the SIDS Gender Equality Forum, the 2024 SIDS Global Business Network Forum and the SIDS4 Private Sector Roundtable.
The Conference will culminate in the adoption of a new 10-year plan that will focus on practical and impactful solutions to support the SIDS in building resilience and attaining their sustainable development objectives. The Zero-Draft Outcome document highlights the needs of SIDS, outlines avenues for achieving targets and suggests UN system reform in support of these countries.
Journalism Fellowship
A journalism fellowship funding opportunity is available for the Conference. The funding will support six journalists from each of the three SIDS regions (Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea, Caribbean and Pacific), enabling them to cover and participate in the event. Eligible journalists can apply for the fellowship by 10 April 2024, 11:59 p.m. EDT, using this link: https://bit.ly/sids4journalists
