PRESS RELEASE : The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States is a critical moment – UK statement at the UN [January 2024]

Thank you, Chair.

First, let me thank the co-chairs New Zealand and the Maldives, Samoa as AOSIS chair, and Antigua and Barbuda, for your preparations for the SIDS4 Conference.

SIDS4 is a critical moment to drive transformational action on priorities that matter most for Small Island Developing States, including climate action, reform of the international financial system, and delivering the SDGs.

The UK is providing over £1.5 million pounds, as well as technical expertise, to support the conference. We know that for SIDS, climate and economic shocks are impacting the already faltering progress made on the SDGs.

The UK’s new International Development White Paper sets out how we will help address the interlinked challenges of ending poverty and tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. SIDS4 is an opportunity for ambitious work and collaborative partnerships to champion and accelerate progress across the SDGs for people on the frontline of climate change.

As negotiations of the outcome document begin, we encourage all parties to recognise the urgency of SIDS’ challenges, a message heard at COP28, and to come together with an ambitious approach for the next 10-year Programme of Action. This must address SIDS-specific needs, such as blue economies, data, and access to finance.

We are also working with AOSIS and Antigua and Barbuda to co-chair a DAC-AOSIS Taskforce to deliver a new donor-SIDS partnership by SIDS4 focused on shared areas for progress and reform, including the priorities above.

In the lead-up to the conference, the UK will also continue to convene events to help advance action, include a SIDS Capacity Building Conference in February with the OECD and UN ESCAP, a ‘SIDS Futures Forum’ with ODI later this Spring, and a side event later today on ‘Evidence-based pathways for resilient prosperity’.

We look forward to your participation.

Thank you.