MEDIA ADVISORY
UN General Assembly President, Mr. Dennis Francis, to attend the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda
New York, 24 May 2024 – The President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), His Excellency, Mr. Dennis Francis, will travel to St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda from 25 to 28 May to participate in the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).
SIDS4 is hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda under the theme: Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity. The once-in-a-decade Conference aims to address the multiple interlocking challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including the impacts of climate change, the debt crisis, and post-pandemic social and economic recovery.
While in Antigua and Barbuda, the PGA is expected to address an audience of Heads of State and Government, Ministers, and other high-level dignitaries and participants at the opening segment of the Conference. He will use the opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of vulnerability in measuring prosperity and securing access to development finance. The PGA will also highlight the imperative of addressing the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise and the threats posed to Small Island Developing States.
Since assuming the Presidency of the General Assembly in September 2023, the PGA has emphasized the need to address the critical issue of sea-level rise and its impact on SIDS and other vulnerable countries. This issue will be addressed by world leaders during the General Assembly High-Level Week in September 2024.
Whilst in St. John’s, the PGA will pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, H.E. Gaston Browne, and hold bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Samoa, H.E. Ms. Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Everly Paul Chet Greene. PGA also plans to meet with the UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Didier Trebucq.
The PGA will also host a roundtable discussion on Gender Equality in SIDS; engage with a small group of children and young people before participating in the closing ceremony of the SIDS Children and Youth Action Summit; and meet with civil society organizations and participate in several side events. Other planned engagements include a breakfast meeting on Addressing the Impacts of Sea-Level Rise.
The PGA’s delegation includes his Chef de Cabinet, his Special Adviser on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, a Special Adviser, a Team Leader for Sustainable Development and Financing for Development, as well as a Communications Adviser.
Travel costs for the visit are covered by the OPGA’s Trust Fund and the UN Regular Budget.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Mimrah Ghafoor, Communications Adviser, travelling with the delegation: mimrah.ghafoor@un.org; cell: +1 917 728-24-64
Carolina Nazzaro, Media Relations Adviser: carolina.nazarro@un.org; cell: + 1 917 892-2751
* *** *
YouTube:
Twitter (X):
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/unpga
LinkedIn:
