Programme
4th International Conference on SIDS
Official Programme
In accordance with General Assembly resolution 77/328 of 25 August 2023, the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States will be convened from 27 to 30 May 2024 under the theme of “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity” and feature eight plenary meetings including opening and closing segments and five interactive dialogues.
Pursuant to its resolution adopted on 30 May 2023 on additional modalities (contained in A/CONF.223/2024/PC/L.1) the Preparatory Committee for the Conference decided that the five interactive dialogues should be collaborative and multi-stakeholder in nature, with due regard for gender and geographical balance, and will be focused on addressing existing and new and emerging challenges and opportunities for the sustainable development of SIDS and ways and means to address them, including through the strengthening of collaborative partnerships between SIDS and the international community, and will identify priorities for the sustainable development of SIDS.
In the same resolution, the Preparatory Committee entrusted its Bureau to finalize the themes of the interactive dialogues, in consultation with Member States and with the support of the UN DESA and UN OHRLLS, and relevant UN entities. The Preparatory Committee also decided that each interactive dialogue will be presided over by two Co-Chairs, one from a developed State and one from a developing State, to be appointed by the President of the Conference, and that the outcomes of the interactive dialogues should be reported to the closing plenary meeting of the Conference and included in the final report of the Conference.
Proposed Broad Scenario for Interactive Dialogue
2. Facilitator begins Fireside Chat between 2 Heads of State/Government (30 mins) then hands floor back to Co-Chairs to proceed with the Meeting.
3. Co-Chairs then invite the 2 Heads of Institutions/Experts/Resources persons to respond to the ideas and issues raised by the Heads (5 mins each)
4. Co-Chairs then open the Floor for dialogue (1 hr 15 mins). In statements member states will be encouraged to share their thoughts on the specific raised in the ID and to announce Initiatives/Partnerships that can address the core challenges raised in the ID
As finalized by the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee on 1 December 2023, the interactive dialogues will address the following themes:
- Revitalizing small island developing States economies for accelerated and sustainable growth:
Considering the challenges faced by SIDS across the three dimensions of sustainable development as well as those caused by external shocks, climate change, sea-level rise, rapid coastal erosion, the discussion should identify collective action towards enhancing SIDS' economic diversification, building resilience and disaster recovery, and propelling sustainable development through strategies, policies, and initiatives. This theme would focus on practical steps, partnerships, and policies, including to utilize the blue economy for SIDS' sustainable growth, tourism, marine management, ocean industry expansion, renewable energy, and ecosystem conservation.
- Enhancing critical forms of financing and aid effectiveness through collaborative partnerships: a conversation:
Encompass dialogues on global financial reform, utilizing MVI insights, and policymaking to improve financial stability, enable debt relief, and meet SDGs, with a focus on shared partnership and private sector collaboration.
- Making climate finance work for small island developing States: building on the outcomes of the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:
The discussions should explore ways to significantly increase the provision and mobilization of climate finance, addressing both adaptation and loss and damage and upscaling solutions to climate change. Engagement in this theme should strategize around the outcome of COP28 to fulfill the international community's commitment to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, safeguarding our planet, its inhabitants, and its biodiversity, and preventing the breaching further irreversible tipping points and surpassing of planetary boundaries, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement.
- Leveraging data and digital technologies and building effective institutions for a resilient future in small island developing States:
Explore strategies and actions to bridge data gaps and enhance technological and institutional capacities that empower evidence-based policymaking. The dialogue can explore tangible steps to implement and utilize the SIDS data hub and leverage recommendations from the Global Digital Compact to advance the adoption of digital technologies and infrastructure, building resilience and sustainable development in SIDS.
- Investing in human capital: addressing health crises in small island developing States and building the potential of youth in small island developing States:
This theme will facilitate focused discussions on developing actions to enhance social and human capital, addressing health, including mental health, and education as pivotal components for unlocking opportunities for youth.
