Special Events

As proposed by the host government (Antigua and Barbuda) of the SIDS4 Conference, several informal high-level special events were organized in connection with the Conference, to create a platform for in depth and broader discussion on how to chart the course toward resilient prosperity in Small Island Developing States.

SIDS Children and Youth Action Summit

Date: 24-26 May 2024

Location: St. John, Antigua and Barbuda

Organizers: UNICEF, The Government of Antigua & Barbuda, Ashley Lashley Foundation

Convened under the theme “Small Islands, Big Dreams: Youth for SIDS Resilience”, the SIDS Children and Youth Action Summit, a high-level special event, brought together child and youth delegates from SIDS and representatives from other countries, along with UN agencies, civil society organizations, and various stakeholders, to address the unique and complex challenges faced by SIDS, such as climate change, poverty and digital transformation, along with other contemporary political and social issues. It provided an essential opportunity for SIDS youth to share their perspectives on an intersection of social and environmental issues and their impacts, as well as to present new ideas, solutions and recommendations for and commit to a course of action.

The programme of the Summit consisted of practical and engaging master classes, discussions, project-formulation, and fundraising.

For more information, please refer to the Concept Note and the overview agenda. 

Check here for the highlights of the SIDS Children and Youth Action Summit presented during the Moment of Declarations of the SIDS4 (30 May).

SIDS Gender Equality Forum

Date: 25 & 26 May 2024

Location: Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua and Barbuda

Organizer: UN WOMEN and Caribbean Development Bank

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique vulnerabilities that significantly challenge the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite notable progress towards gender equality, SIDS face distinctive challenges that hinder gender equality and women’s empowerment. What is needed is a strategic, gender-responsive, human-rights based and SIDS-appropriate approach that overcomes innate obstacles and transforms vulnerabilities into tools of resilience, innovation, and equality. In May 2024, the international community gathered to review SIDS’ sustainable development progress and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions to supercharge their path to resilient prosperity, and gender equality needs to be at the center of this.

The SIDS Gender Equality Forum  was held prior to the SIDS4 Conference to provide a dedicated space for persons from across all SIDS regions, from various stakeholder groups, from multiple sectors to look at gender equality and SIDS- through:

MOVING the SIDS story forward from SIDS3 in Samoa to SIDS4 in Antigua and Barbuda by putting gender equality in the center of the next ten-year action plan and the many processes taking place in that time.

EXPLORING key gender equality and SIDS themes, aligned with the SIDS4 priority areas, with thought leaders and participants via a series of structured ‘Tours’.
 
ENGAGING participants to better get to know SIDS stakeholders and their roles in driving gender equality through an innovative ‘Island Hopping’ experience.

EXPOSING participants to important channels for gender equality and empowerment of women in SIDS through a ‘marketplace’ of products and processes.
 
JOINING dedicated spaces for networking, sharing and planning collaboration with others throughout the journey of the Forum.
 
CLOSING the Forum with a high-level convening for commitment and a call to action. 

For more information, please consult the event webpage: SIDS Gender Equality Forum (GEF) | UN Women  and UN Women Caribbean | UN Women.

Check here for the highlights of the Gender Equality Forum presented during the Moment of Declarations of the SIDS4 (30 May).

2024 SIDS Global Business Network Forum

Date: 25-26 May 2024

Location: St. John, Antigua and Barbuda

Organizer: OHRLLS

The 2024 SIDS Global Business Network Forum at the Fourth International Conference on SIDS (SIDS4) was the premier event that bridged the international private sector and Small Island Developing States to forge partnerships for the next decade of action for SIDS.  

The Forum was held in Antigua and Barbuda immediately before SIDS4, and explored key themes such as community empowerment, blue-green growth, the enabling business environment, and investment opportunities. Outcomes of the Forum featured in discussions at a dedicated private sector roundtable during SIDS4. 

Participants had the chance to network with leaders and experts from various sectors, showcase partnerships achievements and insights and learn from best practices and success stories from around the world.  

Please check the Concept Note for details. 

Learn more about the Forum and its preparatory process here. 

Check here for the highlights of the SIDS Global Business Forum presented during the Moment of Declarations of the  SIDS4 (30 May).

For more information, contact Ms. Eva Marie Vestergaard (eva.vestergaard@un.org) and/or Mr. Damien Sass (sass@un.org). 

SIDS4 Private Sector Roundtable

Date: 28 May 2024

Location: Interactive Dialogue Room, SIDS4 Conference Venue (AUA)

Organizer: OHRLLS

The SIDS4 Private Sector Roundtable gathered leaders from the private sector, island governments and development partners for a focused discussion on partnerships for resilient island economies, and the means to ensure an active private sector engagement in the implementation of the next programme of action for SIDS. 

The Roundtable also showcased outcomes from the SIDS Global Business Network Forum held on 25-26 May. 

The Private Sector Roundtable was organised by the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN OHRLLS). For more information, contact Ms. Eva Marie Vestergaard (eva.vestergaard@un.org ) and/or Mr. Damien Sass (sass@un.org ). 

Check here for the highlights of the SIDS Private Sector Roundtable presented during the Moment of Declarations of the  SIDS4 (30 May).

SIDS4 Civil Society Forum

Date:29 May 2024

Location: St. John, Antigua and Barbuda

Organizers: The event was organized by the following CSO Networks and organizations: Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), Pacific Island Association of NGOs (PIANGO), the NGO Major Group, the SIDS4 CSO Coalition in Antigua and Barbuda, co-led by the Integrated Health Outreach (IHO) and the Marine Ecosystems Partnership Trust (MEPA Trust). The event was facilitated by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), in consultation with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda (host country) and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS).

Background:

The SIDS4 Civil Society Forum was held on 29 May 2024, as an informal special event in connection with the SIDS4 Conference. It was an opportunity to rally and mobilize civil society, including indigenous peoples, women’s organizations and stakeholder groups to highlight their contributions to the sustainable development of SIDS and to share reflections, priorities and announce commitments towards the implementation of the SIDS4 outcome document. 

The meeting was open to civil society organizations, UN Member States, UN entities, inter-governmental organizations and other stakeholders registered to attend the SIDS4 Conference.  

For more information, please check here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/sids4csoforum.

Check here for the highlights of the SIDS4 Civil Society Forum presented during the Moment of Declarations of the SIDS4 (30 May).