PGA opening remarks at the 4th meeting of the LLS Advisory Board
Tuesday, 14 May 2024, 11:00 a.m., CR. 8
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Distinguished Board members,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 4th Meeting of the Advisory Board on LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS – focusing on our contribution to the upcoming Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (the so-called SIDS4), in Antigua and Barbuda from 27 to 30 May 2024.
I extend a special welcome to His Excellency Fergal Mythen, Permanent Representative of Ireland and Ms. Ianthe Douglas, Chargée d’Affaires of the Republic of Palau – who are joining us today in their important role as the Co-Chairs of the SIDS Steering Committee.
We all look forward to their contributions to our discussion on advancing sustainable development for SIDS.
Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,
Over thirty years ago, at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, Small Island Developing States were first recognized as a unique category of countries.
This was based on the distinct environmental and developmental challenges SIDS face, owing, among other things, to their small size, geographical remoteness, climate vulnerability and limited resources – challenges which we all know well.
Since then, several SIDS conferences have sought to address these challenges: the first SIDS Conference in Barbados in 1994; the second in Mauritius in 2005; and the third in Samoa – which produced the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action Plan, known as the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway in 2014.
Ten years later, with preparations underway for SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda, and with a new ten-year action plan on the horizon – the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), a renewed declaration for resilient prosperity – we must do everything possible to ensure that the coming decade will be a transformative one for the SIDS to achieve sustainable development.
Excellencies,
Given the extraordinary scale and depth of challenges, national and sometimes regional efforts to support SIDS cannot suffice alone.
These efforts must be complemented by comprehensive international support across a broad – yet still not exhaustive – range of fronts, including the following:
- Supporting SIDS’ economic diversification and improving their productive capacities.
- Facilitating SIDS’ access to concessional development financing.
- Implementing or incorporating the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index into development policies.
- Scaling up climate action and support, including through climate financing.
- Operationalizing the new Loss and Damage fund to ensure SIDS receive adequate benefits.
- Mitigating the effects of rising sea levels and building requisite resilience.
- Exploring and promoting innovative financing solutions to drive sustainable ocean-based economies.
- Providing technical support to enhance data capacity.
Excellencies,
The comprehensive range of areas I just mentioned underscores the interconnected and mutually reinforcing nature of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs.
Recognizing these linkages, I had the honour of convening the General Assembly’s first-ever Sustainability Week last month – aimed at catalysing and facilitating sector-specific discussions on advancing sustainable development, including for SIDS.
I am pleased to highlight several key outcomes:
- One, the thematic debate on debt sustainability emphasized the urgent need to reform the international financial architecture. This includes enhancing debt transparency, expanding lending in local currencies, and developing new debt instruments while advocating for greater equity in global governance representation, particularly for SIDS, as vulnerable countries.
- Two, on tourism, the General Assembly endorsed the Statistical Framework in Measuring Sustainability in Tourism. Consequently, SIDS, many of which are heavily reliant on tourism, now have an important tool for monitoring an industry that too often overlooks economic and environmental sustainability.
- Three, on Sustainable Infrastructure, we reaffirmed the importance of developing safe, durable, and high-quality infrastructure. Such infrastructure is critical for achieving the SDGs broadly, and is of profound importance to SIDS countries, which are exceptionally vulnerable to climate change and disasters.
- Four, on Sustainable Transport, I will submit to DESA proposals to promote increased investment in transport systems through its Decade of Sustainable Transport Plan. These include investing in maritime transport systems, especially essential for SIDS’ access to global markets. I have also pledged my support to Regional Commissions in this implementation plan.
- Five, at the Global Stocktake for Energy, I also launched my Call to Action, urging a dramatic increase in financing and a tripling of global investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency also for SIDS.
Collectively, these initiatives will offer dramatic positive benefits to SIDS – while broadly advancing our efforts to deliver sustainable development for all.
Distinguished Board Members,
My concluding assessment is that the Sustainability Week was an important beginning – and we must build on its momentum, as we look forward to the Summit of the Future in September.
This historic Summit will offer the international community a timely opportunity to reaffirm commitment to the principles – which will also be emphasized in the ABAS.
The 2025 International Conference on Financing for Development will provide another opportunity to further broaden our commitments and mobilize resources.
As we proceed with our discussion today – and prepare for the upcoming SIDS4 Conference – I look forward to transforming the aspirations of the last thirty years into tangible action and build a resilient, prosperous future for SIDS.
Based also on the Guiding Questions I shared prior to the meeting, I look forward to hearing your invaluable thoughts – including on the ways the General Assembly can support the implementation of the ABAS.
I thank you.
