2021 SIDS Global Business Network Virtual Forum: Partnerships for resilience building and pandemic recovery in SIDS

الأربعاء, 23 June 2021 - 10:00am

10-12.00 am Wednesday

18-20.00 pm Thursday

The Small Island Developing States Global Business Network (SIDS-GBN) was created as an outcome of a pre-conference in connection with the creation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A) Pathway. Adopted in 2014, the S.A.M.O.A Pathway is the stand-alone, overarching framework setting out the sustainable priorities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that builds on the Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA), the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation (MSI) the Agenda 21 and 2030 for Sustainable Development. 

The SIDS GBN aims to share best practices and lessons learned in support of private sector partnerships. The network forges collaboration among SIDS regional and local private sector organisations and works towards strengthening inter-regional business alliances, encouraging international businesses to focus on SIDS as potential market opportunities. 

Promoting genuine and durable partnerships is an invaluable means to achieving the objectives of the S.A.M.O.A Pathway and the sustainable development goals in the SIDS. The SIDS GBN provides a platform to attract greater interest and investments in SIDS by the private sector and to increase their engagement in promoting sustainable development through durable partnerships.  

The right investment, however small, has the potential to make meaningful impacts on the livelihood of many islanders. Strong private sectors in energy transition in SIDS will generate socio-economic benefits such as job creation, competitive and increased exports, transfer of technology, strengthened small and medium enterprises, improving livelihoods and overall economic well-being. 

Currently the COVID-19 pandemic has caused much disruption in SIDS economies associated with drop in global economic activity that has resulted in the complete shutdown in tourism, reduced demand for seafood and decline in maritime shipping with negative implications on livelihoods, food and water security.