Small island developing States

Small island developing States are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In addition to susceptibility to natural disasters, they face the prospect of inundation from rising sea levels, loss of land due to coastal erosion, and contamination of agricultural land due to saltwater intrusion. Low-lying atolls are especially at risk, some from complete submersion.

Because their ecosystems are fragile and their resources limited, SIDS are devising strategies for adapting to climate change as part of a broader framework of sustainable development, with support from DESA. The department organizes workshops to assess the vulnerability of island nations and propose measures to enhance environmental and economic resilience.

Aside from coordinating international follow-up to the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action on SIDS, and Mauritius Strategy of Implementation, DESA is host to the UN Inter-agency Consultative Group on SIDS whose goal is to harmonize efforts across the UN system. DESA also maintains SIDSNet, an online service that raises awareness, promotes capacity building, facilitates information sharing, and coordinates action on the big issues faced by small islands.

 

Dialogue, research, analysis

February 2007
UNFCCC expert meeting on adaptation for small island developing States
May 2006
Workshop on National Sustainable Development Strategies in Pacific Island States
January 2005
Mauritius Declaration and Strategy of Implementation
1997
Development of a SIDS vulnerability index
May 1994
Barbados Programme of Action
 -
Small island development States network
 

Case studies


 

Partnerships


  • SIDS Partnership: Implementation of New Technologies for Sustainable Development
    Lead Partner:
    Government of Marshall Islands - Municipal Governments and Traditional Land Owners of Arno Atoll, Aelinglaplap Atoll, Wotho Atoll, Namkrik Atoll, Maloelap Atoll, Kili/Bikini, Ejit - Pacific Aquaculture Cooperatives International Inc (Private Sector)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    The SIDS Partnership for Implementation of New Technologies for Sustainable Development, brings together United Nations Agencies with a focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), SIDS Governments, Non Governmental Agencies, and the Private Sector to seek funding for and the implementation of new, underutilized, but proven technologies for renewable energy production, restoration of coral reef...
  • Pacific Islands Energy for Sustainable Development [PIESD]
    Lead Partner:
    Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) - South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Sub-regional Pacific 
    Summary:
    The main objectives are: * Increased availability of adequate, affordable and environmentally sound energy for the sustainable development of all Pacific islanders. * Accelerate the transfer and adoption of clean and renewable energy technologies. * The partnership is to assist with the implementation of the Pacific Island Energy Policy (PIEP....
  • Mediaterre - Global information system on sustainable development
    Lead Partner:
    International Center of Resources and Innovation for the Sustainable Development-CIRIDD (former Association Agora 21) - Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (IEPF - Institut de la Francophonie Numérique - Unité Jeunesse)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    The aim of the project is to create an information and discussion platform for sustainable development that is accessible to the various groups concerned (States and public administrations, local governments and international bodies, associations, the economic sector, scientists and the academic community, and ordinary citizens) by facilitating exchanges and integration of the available data on a ...
  • Enhanced Application of Climate Prediction in Pacific Island Countries Project
    Lead Partner:
    Government of Australia - Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Sub-regional South Pacific 
    Summary:
    This partnership developed from the SPREP Pacific Meteorological Services Needs Analysis Project. project aims to strengthen the capacity of Pacific island countries in climate prediction. It includes Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Solomon Is, Kiribati and Niue. The project aims to upgrade the National Meteorological Services of participating island countries to enable them to provide...
  • International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN)
    Lead Partner:
    International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) - International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    The main objective of ICRAN is to halt and reverse the decline in health of the world 's coral reefs. ICRAN is an innovative and dynamic global partnership of many of the world's leading coral reef science and conservation organizations. The partnership draws on its partners' investments in reef monitoring and management to create strategically linked actions across local, national and global scal...
  • Southern Caucus of NGOs for Sustainable Development Five Multi Regional Partnership and Policy Centers
    Lead Partner:
    Southern Caucus Of NGOs For Sustainable Development  
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL: 1. Establish Five Multi Regional Centers to assist in recruitment, mobilization and development of human resources and strengthen Southern Major Group NGO Institutions on Local, National and Regional Levels and increase their Capacity to participate in and contribute to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Locally, Nationally and Regionally. 2 Seek resources...
  • 100% Renewable Energy Islands
    Lead Partner:
    Forum for Renewable Energy Islands (FREI)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    To assist island states to meet 100% of their energy requirements from Renewable Energy Sources (RES) by helping them with the preparation & planning, organization and all the inputs (technical, financial & managerial) required for implementation of the 100% RES plan.. By helping several SIDS to use 100% RES for their energy supply, this partnership will result in * Island states stopping the u...
  • Productive Use of Clean Energy for Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
    Lead Partner:
    United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are heavily dependent on fossil (petroleum) fuels and conventional biomass. The negative impacts on the environment and the heavy financial burden placed on SIDS through the present use of these fuels is the problem. The problem aggravates because of the low efficiency of energy use. Therefore, identification of the problem, formulation of national strategi...
  • Pacific Island Adaptation Initiative
    Lead Partner:
    South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Sub-regional Pacific 
    Summary:
    The overall goal of this initiative is "to catalyse action and strengthen partnerships at all levels to enable the Pacific Island's region understand and respond to climate change, climate variability and sea level rise". The primary objectives for this initiative are: * Effective coordination of adaptation initiatives in support of sustainable development * Support for enabling activities in ac...
  • Improving the provision of sustainable energy services for Small Island Developing States
    Lead Partner:
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)  
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    The overall goal of this initiative is to increase provision of sustainable energy services for SIDS over a ten-year period, in order to reduce the outflows of foreign exchange and to protect the environment, in keeping with the Millennium Development Goals. Secondary Objectives: The secondary objectives are as follows: * Transfer of appropriate technology. * Develop new technology based upon ...