Background
In its resolution 77/245, the General Assembly had established a Preparatory Committee to make the organizational, procedural and substantive preparations for the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), which will hold a one-day organizational session in the first half of 2023 and two sessions, of no more than five days each, in the first half of 2024.
The members of the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee are: Barbados, Cabo Verde, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Italy, Latvia (Rapporteur), Maldives (Co-Chair), New Zealand (Co-Chair), Romania and Seychelles. Antigua and Barbuda (as host of the Conference) and Samoa (as Chair of AOSIS) serve as ex officio members.
The First Preparatory Committee Meeting will be held in Conference Room 4 at the UNHQ, New York, from 22 to 26 January 2024.
Please check the Documentation tab for latest updates including the Co-chairs' invitation, Programme of work and other relevant information.
Webcast
First Plenary Meeting (AM, 22 January 2024)
Second Plenary Meeting (PM, 22 January 2024)
Third Plenary Meeting (AM, 26 January 2024)
Press Conference (26 January 2024)
Return to SIDS4 Main Website
REGISTRATION (CLOSED)
Registration for accredited stakeholders to attend the First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the SIDS4 Conference is closed on 12 January 2024.
NOTE: Representatives of accredited non-governmental organizations, major groups and other stakeholders will be able to observe the proceedings of the First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the SIDS4 Conference on 22 January (10:00 – 1:00PM and 3:00 – 6:00PM) ONLY.
Who can attend the First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the SIDS4 Conference?
In-person 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).
Non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholder 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) and its preparatory meetings.
How to register?
1. Representatives of NGOs in Consultative status with ECOSOC
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
Registration is closed now.
2. Representatives of specially accredited organizations
Organizations that were accredited to any of the following previous United Nations’ conferences on the sustainable development of SIDS (please click on the links 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.
Registration is closed now.
Please note:
- Each Organization will be able to register up to 5(five) representatives. If more than 5 are registered under one organization, the Secretariat will approve registrations on a first-come first-served basis.
- Please, check that you are registering your representatives through the appropriate link.
- All submitted requests for registration will be reviewed and confirmation letters will be sent to approved participants.
- The deadline for registration is 12 January 2024 (5pm, EST).
- Registered participants are responsible for any necessary arrangements related to their in-person participation, including travel, visa and others, as appropriate.
SPEAKING SLOTS (APPLICATION CLOSED NOW)
Time permitting, representatives from accredited non-governmental organizations, major groups and other stakeholders will be invited to make short statements during the First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the SIDS4 Conference in person or through the submission of pre-recorded video messages. Please read below for further information.
Who is eligible?
Official representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other stakeholders who are accredited to attend the SIDS4 Conference can register their interest to make short interventions either in person (on 22 January 2024) or through pre-recorded short video messages.
Before applying, please, check if your organization is accredited to attend the SIDS4 Conference here: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/sids2024/stakeholders#participation
PLEASE NOTE: Applications for Special Accreditation to the SIDS4 Conference are currently under review and those organizations (listed on the note by the Secretariat) are NOT eligible for this process, as their accreditation is not yet approved by Member States.
How to apply?
Interested accredited organizations can register their interest to speak or submit pre-recorded video messages through dedicated platform, the process is now closed. Selected stakeholders should hear from the Secretariat soon.
A limited number of stakeholders may be selected to deliver intervention in person on 22 January 2024 at the UNHQ in New York. Additionally, a limit number of pre-recorded video messages from accredited organizations may also be selected.
Please note:
Only one request per organization/network will be considered. Considering the limited number of speaking slots, preference will be given to statements that are delivered on behalf of groups of organizations, including major groups and other stakeholder constituencies.
For more information, please email: SIDS4@un.org, with subject line [Stakeholder-Prep Comm].
Preparatory Committee Meeting for SIDS4 - Side Events Application
In accordance with Resolution 77/245, the Preparatory Committee Meeting for the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will be held from January 22 to 26, 2024. The meeting lays the groundwork for the subsequent main conference, scheduled to occur in Antigua and Barbuda. The primary focus of these gatherings will be on 'Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity,' aiming to address and strategize for the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small island nations.
Side Events Programme now Available
We are pleased to announce a series of engaging side events scheduled to occur from 13:15 to 14:30, held on the margins of the First Preparatory Committee Meeting for the SIDS4 Conference. These events present a valuable opportunity for participants to actively engage in and help shape the conversations leading up to the main SIDS4 conference.
For more detailed information about each of these side events, please visit here.
Summary
Achieving SDG 2 without breaching the 1.5°C threshold: A Global Roadmap - Food and Agricultural Organization
Leveraging the BBNJ Agreement in support of resilient prosperity in SIDS - The Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, OLA; Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC); Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
Standards: Practical, Science-Based Collaboration Building Resilience and Confronting Climate Change - ASTM International
Evidence-based pathways for resilient prosperity in SIDS - ODI and UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
Sustainable Innovations for Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Navigating Challenges, Embracing Opportunities for Resilient Prosperity - Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations; The PVBLIC Foundation and UNOPS
