The IACG is an informal consultative mechanism at the working level in which the SIDS focal points of relevant UN agencies as well as international and regional intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) come together to exchange views and information.
The SIDS-focused and hybrid membership composed of the UN and non-UN agencies make it an effective tool for maintaining the momentum created at the Third International Conference on SIDS in Samoa, 2014, and for keeping SIDS issues high on the international agenda. This group also explores ways and means to enhance coordinated and collaborative actions in support of SIDS in implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) based on their respective areas of expertise.
The establishment of the IACG stems from General Assembly resolution A/RES/59/311, which "Requests the Secretary-General, through the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, to articulate a plan with recommendations for action and proposed activities for the coordinated and coherent implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation by the relevant United Nations bodies, the specialized agencies, regional commissions and other organizations of the United Nations system within their respective mandates”.
The main activities currently being pursued through the IACG are:
- Coordination of the various activities carried out as part of the implementation of the Samoa Pathway at global, regional, and national levels in a cohesive manner;
- Consultation among UN and non-UN agencies to advance mainstreaming of and promotion of synergies on SIDS issues in the programmes, particularly on SIDS partnerships announced at the conference in Samoa. The IACG provide a platform to help find common ground and areas for collaboration amongst the members;
- Coordination on a Secretary-General report on SIDS and other relevant documents.
IACG meetings are generally held on a quarterly basis. New York-based organizations participate in person, whereas offices located abroad participate virtually.
