Stakeholder Engagement

General

In accordance with paragraph 42 of  A/RES/77/245, which “stresses the need for the effective participation of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, and other major groups, particularly from small island developing States”, the United Nations Secretariat has organized a variety of opportunities for multi-stakeholder engagement and facilitated the meaningful participation of stakeholders in the Conference and its preparatory processes.

The SIDS4 Conference Secretariat has published the SIDS4 Stakeholder Engagement Impact Report, highlighting key engagement activities leading up to and during the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), held from 27-30 May 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda.

This report highlights efforts to raise awareness and share information with stakeholders about the Conference and its preparatory process. It also showcases opportunities provided for meaningful stakeholder engagement and contributions.

Please read the full report here.

Participation

Stakeholders Participation at the SIDS4 Conference (27 - 30 May 2024)

Participation of representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders at the SIDS4 Conference was guided by resolution A/RES/77/245 as well as by A/CONF.223/2024.PC.L1.

Please, check below for relevant information related to participation of stakeholders at the SIDS4 Conference.

Which stakeholders can participate in the SIDS4 Conference?

Registration for representatives of NGOs, major groups and other relevant stakeholders is now closed.

Participation of representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders at the SIDS4 Conference is guided by General Assembly resolution A/RES/77/245 (Para 38, and Para 41) as well as by A/CONF.223/2024.PC.L1 (Annex II, Section III).

Organizations that fall under the following categories will be able to request registration to attend the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4): 

1. Non-governmental organizations and major groups identified in Agenda 21 and other stakeholders in consultative status with ECOSOC. You can check if your organization has consultative status with ECOSOC here.

2. Organizations that were accredited to any of the following previous United Nations’ conferences on the sustainable development of SIDS (click on the individual SIDS Conference link below for details):

Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 26 April-6 May 1994, Bridgetown, Barbados;
International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 10-14 January 2005, Port Louis, Mauritius; and/or
Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 1-4 September 2014, Apia, Samoa.

3. Organizations that received special accreditation by the Preparatory Committee or the General Assembly to attend the SIDS4 Conference (Please check the approved list here).

For a consolidated list of organizations that received special accreditation to attend the SIDS4 Conference, please, check here.

PLEASE NOTE THAT BEING ACCREDITED IS NOT ENOUGH TO GRANT ACCESS TO THE SIDS4 CONFERENCE. ALL REPRESENTATIVES OF ACCREDITED ORGANIZATIONS MUST BE REGISTERED AS PER BELOW.

Registration

Registration for representatives of accredited non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders closed on 26 April 2024 at 5pm EDT.

Registration requests submitted by the deadline are currently under review. Approved participants will receive a confirmation email.

Please, note:

There will be no on-site registration for stakeholders. All requests for registration must have been submitted by 26 April 2024 at 5pm EDT.
Organizations in consultative status with ECOSOC whose statuses have been suspended by the UN NGO Committee will not be able to request for registration to the SIDS4 Conference, irrespective of previous accreditation to past UN Conferences.
Each organization was able to register up to 10 representatives. If more than 10 are registered under one organization, the Secretariat will approve the registrations in the order that they have been received and up to 10.
All requests for registration will be reviewed on a rolling basis and approved participants will receive letters of confirmation from the Conference Secretariat. Please, allow between 5 – 10 working days for the review of registration requests.
Participants under 18 years old will need to be accompanied by a Chaperone who must be duly registered to attend the SIDS4 Conference. This information must be included in the affiliation letter to be uploaded onto the registration platform.
Registered participants are responsible for all necessary arrangements related to their in-person participation, including travel, visa and others, as appropriate.

The United Nations does not charge fees for participation in Conferences and events. If you are aware of possible scams, please email us using this email address (sids4@un.org).

Logistical information

For logistical information including accommodation and visa requirement, please check the dedicated host country website.

Please, check the link below for a Practical guide for representatives of non-governmental organizations, major groups and other stakeholders attending the SIDS4 Conference.

Access it here: https://sdgs.un.org/documents/practical-guide-representatives-non-governmental-organizations-major-groups-and-other

Special Accreditation (Closed)

As guided by resolution A/CONF.223/2024.PC.L1 (Annex II, Section III), other relevant stakeholders, including the non-governmental organizations not in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, wishing to attend and contribute to the Conference , may participate as observers in the International Conference, as well as in the preparatory meetings, subject to the approval of the Preparatory Committee or the General Assembly.

The process was closed on 10 November 2023.

he secretariat of the Conference has completed the review of all applications on the basis of their background and involvement in sustainable development issues, in particular in the follow-up of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation and the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.

On 19 December 2023, a note by the Secretariat has been circulated to all UN Member States as annex to the Invitation Letter from the Co-chairs to the First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee. The list of non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders contained in the note will be submitted by the Co-chairs for the decision by the Preparatory Committee at its first session.

[UPDATED on 22 January 2024] The list of organizations accredited by the Preparatory Committee is available here.

For additional information about stakeholder participation in the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States, please check the Frequently Asked Questions.

Youth Guidance Note

A special Youth Guidance Note can be found here.

CSO Forum Special Event

The SIDS4 Civil Society Forum was held on 29 May 2024, from 18:30 – 20:00, as a special event in connection with the SIDS4 Conference. It was an opportunity to bring together diverse voices and perspectives to deliberate on strategies for achieving resilient prosperity in SIDS over the next 10 years, and to rally and mobilize civil society, including non-profit organizations, indigenous peoples, women’s and youth organizations, persons with disabilities, academia and other 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.

This forum fostered a collaborative and inclusive approach, recognizing the unique contributions of civil society in driving the sustainable development agenda in SIDS. The forum also fostered enhanced collaboration between civil society and SIDS governments, the UN system, and other development partners.

For more information about the SIDS4 CSO Forum Special Event, please check here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/sids4csoforum

Webinars

Please, check this tab for information about Webinars organized by UNDESA dedicated to sharing information and promote engagement of stakeholders in the SIDS4 Conference.

3rd Stakeholder Webinar on the SIDS4: Updates and Engagement Opportunities

The 3rd Stakeholder webinar on the SIDS4 Conference was held on 8 May 2024. The objective of the webinar was to share updated information about the preparations for the SIDS4 Conference with registered representatives from accredited non-governmental organizations, major groups and other stakeholders, including on opportunities for direct engagement during the Conference. 230 stakeholders joined the call. For more information about this webinar, please check here.

2nd Multi-Stakeholder Webinar on the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4): Updates and Views on the Zero Draft Outcome Document

15 February 2024, 9:00 – 10:30AM (EST, New York time)

The 2^nd multi-stakeholder informative webinar was held on 15 February 2024, from 9:00 – 10:30 AM (EST, New York time). The objective of the webinar was to share updated information about the preparations for the SIDS4 Conference as well as to create an opportunity for stakeholders to share their views and proposals on the zero draft outcome document in an informal dialogue with the co-chairs of the SIDS4 Preparatory Committee and other interested Member States.

For more information about the webinar, please, check here: https://sdgs.un.org/events/2ndstakeholderwebinarSIDS4

1st Multi-stakeholder Informative Webinar

A multi-stakeholder informative webinar was held on 26 October 2023, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM (EDT) to share updated information about the SIDS4 Conference with all stakeholders, and to offer an opportunity to build momentum around the SIDS4 Conference.

The webinar, held on Zoom platform, was open to all interested stakeholders. For more information including recordings and relevant documentation, please check here.

Online Consultations

In preparation to the SIDS4 Conference, UN DESA coordinated a series of online consultations to compile stakeholder inputs to the substantive segments of the Conference, including its outcome document. Check below for details.

Second Global Online Stakeholder Consultation-Inputs for Interactive Dialogues - Summary report now available!

The Summary report is now available - Please, check here for details!

As part of its formal programme, the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) will feature five interactive and multi-stakeholder dialogues that will focus on addressing existing and emerging challenges and opportunities for the sustainable development of SIDS, including through the strengthening of collaborative partnerships.

The SIDS4 Conference will include five interactive dialogues held on the following themes:

Making Climate Finance work for SIDS: Building on the Outcomes of UNFCCC COP 28
Enhancing Critical Forms of Financing and Aid Effectiveness through collaborative Partnerships: A Conversation
Levering Data and Digital Technologies and Building effective Institutions for a Resilient Future in SIDS
Investing in human capital: addressing health crisis in SIDS and building the potential of youth in SIDS
Revitalizing SIDS Economies for accelerated and sustainable growth

To ensure an in-depth discussion, background notes will be prepared by the UN secretariat to inform each theme listed above.

To provide an opportunity for stakeholders to provide their views, DESA conducted a second global online stakeholder consultation and solicited informal contributions from stakeholders across different sectors related to the themes of the SIDS4 interactive dialogues.

Interested civil society organizations, major groups and other stakeholders were invited to participate in the consultation here by 19 January 2024: https://sdgs.un.org/2ndglobalstakeholderconsultationSIDS4.

The summary report is now available here. All inputs are available at the consultations webpage: https://sdgs.un.org/2ndglobalstakeholderconsultationSIDS4.

For more information about the 2nd Global online consultation, please visit: https://sdgs.un.org/2ndglobalstakeholderconsultationSIDS4

First Global Online Stakeholder Consultation (completed)

To create a space for stakeholders, especially those in SIDS countries, to engage with the substantive preparations for the Conference, UN DESA, in collaboration with OHRLLS, has organized a global online stakeholder consultation to solicit inputs from stakeholders from different sectors to contribute to the substantive preparatory process, including the regional and inter-regional preparatory meetings.

The goal was to ask stakeholders to identify key challenges that SIDS face in achieving their sustainable development priorities and to solicit policy recommendations and examples of game-changing actions that can accelerate progress towards sustainable development in SIDS.

The online consultation was open to all stakeholders from 13 June to 7 July 2023. Please view all received answers here: bit.ly/SIDSOnlineConsultationPublic.

Please find the regional snapshots and the summary report of the Global Online Stakeholder Consultation below:

For more information about the online consultation, please visit: bit.ly/SIDS4Consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Participation of Non-Governmental Organizations and Other Relevant Stakeholders

1. Which stakeholders can participate in the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) and its preparatory meetings?

Participation of representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders in the SIDS4 Conference is guided by General Assembly resolution A/RES/77/245 (Para 38, and Para 41) as well as by A/CONF.223/2024.PC.L1 (Annex II, Section III).

Organizations that fall under the following categories will be able to request registration for their representatives to attend the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4):

1) Non-governmental organizations and major groups identified in Agenda 21 and other stakeholders in consultative status with ECOSOC. You can check if your organization has consultative status with ECOSOC here.

2) Organizations that were accredited to any of the following previous United Nations’ conferences on the sustainable development of SIDS (please check the consolidated list of previously accredited Civil Society Organizations at all three SIDS Conferences, or click on the individual SIDS Conference link below for details):

- Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 26 April-6 May 1994, Bridgetown, Barbados;
- International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 10-14 January 2005, Port Louis, Mauritius; and/or
- Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 1-4 September 2014, Apia, Samoa.

3) Organizations that received special accreditation by the Preparatory Committee or the General Assembly to attend the SIDS4 Conference. (Please check the list of accredited organizations for the SIDS4 here).

For a consolidated list of organizations that received special accreditation to attend the SIDS4 Conference, please, check here.

2. My organization is not on the lists above – can we attend the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and in the preparatory meetings?

In order to attend the SIDS4, you should be registered as part of the delegation of an accredited organization.

3. How can I request Special Accreditation for my organization?

The Special Accreditation process was closed on 10 November 2023, it is no longer possible to request special accreditation.

4. My organization applied for Special Accreditation. What is the process for Special Accreditation requests to be reviewed?

On 22 January 2024, the Preparatory Committee adopted the decision and the list of accredited organizations is available here.

Once an organization or entity receives special accreditation, it will be able to register representatives to participate at the 4^th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and/or its preparatory meetings, when registration is open for the Conference and/or its preparatory meetings. Approval of special accreditation does not automatically guarantee the organization’s participation in the Conference or its preparatory meetings.

5. When will I know if my organization was specially accredited to participate at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States?

On 22 January 2024, the Preparatory Committee adopted the decision and the list of accredited organizations is available here.

6. What is the difference between accreditation and registration for the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and its preparatory meetings?

Accreditation is for organizations, while registration is for individual participants. Only organizations that are accredited by the UN can request registration of their representatives (individuals) to attend the 4^th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and its preparatory meetings. Details about registration will be shared in due time on the Conference webpage.

7. If my organization receives Special Accreditation to participate at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States, do I still need to register for the Conference? Can I just show a copy of the confirmation letter to participate at the Conference and its preparatory meetings?

Special accreditation of your organization DOES NOT automatically mean registration of individuals to attend the 4^th International Conference on Small Island Developing States or its preparatory meetings. All organizations will still need to register their representatives to be able to participate at the 4^th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and its preparatory meetings. Information about registration to the preparatory meetings and for the 4^th International Conference on Small Island Developing States will be published in due time at the Conference’s website.

8. I do not belong to any organization. Can I attend the Conference or its preparatory meetings?

Unfortunately, you cannot register to attend the Conference or its preparatory meetings as an individual. Participants must be associated with an accredited organization to request registration and attend the Conference.

9. My organization has consultative status with ECOSOC. Do I need to register to attend the Conference?

Yes. All participants will need to register to participate at the 4^th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and its preparatory meetings.

10. How can I register to participate at the Conference and/or its preparatory meetings?

Please, check this page for updates: Participate.

11. How many representatives can each organization register to participate at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and its preparatory meetings?

Each organization will be able to request registration of up to 10 participants. Please, check this page for updates: Participate.

12. Are funds available for stakeholders to participate at the at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and its preparatory meetings?

Registered stakeholders are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. The United Nations does not charge a fee for participation in the 4^th International Conference on Small Island Developing States or any of its official events.

13. I represent a city and/or a regional government. Can I participate at the at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and its preparatory meetings?

Representatives of local and regional governments should register through their Member State delegation. Registration information for all categories of participants will be posted on the website：Participate.

Accredited associations of local and regional governments including those in consultative status with ECOSOC will also be able to register participants.

14. Are there opportunities for stakeholders to speak during the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and its preparatory meetings?

Information on engagement opportunities will be published here and shared with all registered participants.

15. Can NGOs and other stakeholders organize side-events at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States?

Yes. Accredited organizations were able to apply to host side-event during the SIDS4 COnference. Deadline for application was 8 March 2024. Please, check here for details: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/sids2024/programme/side-events.

Do you still have questions?

Please, email: sids4@un.org with subject [SIDS4 - Stakeholders]

Written Inputs

OPEN CALL FOR WRITTEN INPUTS FOR THE SIDS4 CONFERENCE

From ACCREDITED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, MAJOR GROUPS AND OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS

Non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders who have been accredited in accordance with General Assembly resolution A/RES/77/245 as well as by A/CONF.223/2024.PC.L1. were invited to submit written statements/inputs to the Conference via a dedicated form by 30 May 2024.

Written statement/input should be in the following format, failure to comply to this format will result rejection of the statement/input:

Must be in PDF format, uploaded directly to this form;
No more than 700 words;
Must include official letterhead of the organization, with name and official title of the representative submitting the inputs;
Content of the statement/inputs much be aligned with the main theme of the Conference, and/or the subjects of the five interactive dialogues;
Only 1 statement allowed per organization, if more than one statement is submitted, the secretariat will only take the first one, unless specifically requested by the organization.

PLEASE NOTE:

All eligible written statements/inputs will be published on this page.
Written statements shall not be made available at United Nations expense and shall not be issued as official documents.
By submitting through this form, you agree to share your information with the United Nations Secretariat and agree to publish the statement/inputs on behalf of your organization.
The United Nations reserves the right to review submissions and will not publish or will delete any input at any given time if any content/input is perceived as not aligned with the United Nations Charter and/or the principles and purposes of the SIDS4 Conference.
Inputs received are the responsibility of organizations. Any linked sites are not under the control of the United Nations, and the United Nations is not responsible for the content of any linked site, or any link contained in a linked sites listed in the submissions. The inclusion of written inputs does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations to the content, accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or outcomes provided through written inputs.
Deadline to submit written statements/inputs was 30 May 2024. No submission will be accepted after this deadline.
Only written inputs from accredited non-governmental organizations are being posted.

Written Submissions

Small Island Developing States

Related Goals

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