In 2014, the international community gathered in Samoa for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States to forge a new pathway for the sustainable development of this group of countries.
The SAMOA Pathway recognizes the adverse impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on SIDS’ efforts to achieve economic development, food security, disaster risk reduction and ocean management, among other challenges.
While many SIDS have made advances in achieving sustainable development, their inherent vulnerabilities—including small size, remoteness, climate change impacts, biodiversity loss and narrow resource base—mean that progress for many continues to be hampered, and their status as a special case for sustainable development remains.
The SAMOA Pathway aims to address the unique challenges faced by SIDS and to support their development via the five priority areas:
- Promote sustained and sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth with decent work for all, sustainable consumption and production and sustainable transportation
- Act to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts by implementing sustainable energy and disaster risk reduction programs
- Protect the biodiversity of SIDS and care environmental health by mitigating the impact of invasive plant and animal species and by properly managing chemicals and water, including hazardous waste, as well as protecting oceans and seas
- Improve human health and social development through food security and nutrition, improved water and sanitation, reducing the incidence of non-communicable disease and by promoting gender equity and women’s empowerment
- Foster partnership among SIDS, UN Agencies, development partners and others to achieve these goals
Mauritius - 2005
In 2005, the Mauritius Strategy for further implementation of the BPoA was adopted to address remaining gaps in implementation.
Barbados - 1994
In 1994, the Barbados Programme of ActionPDF (BPoA) prescribed specific actions that would enable SIDS to achieve sustainable development.The Conference reaffirmed the principles and commitments to sustainable development embodied in Agenda 21 and translated these into specific policies, actions and measures to be taken at the national, regional and international levels. The Conference also adopted the Barbados Declaration, a statement of political will underpinning the commitments contained in the BPoA.
