Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) - ‘The Sustainable Development of SIDS Through Genuine and Durable Partnerships’

At an opening ceremony on the evening of 31 August 2014, the Samoan government welcomed conference delegates and participants with a cultural performance. Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga gave the benediction. Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, thanked the international community for their unwavering support to SIDS, and his home country and people for their tireless conference preparations. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, said the journey to Samoa had been “long and inspiring,” and welcomed the world to celebrate the achievement of Samoa and all other islands across the planet. Wu Hongbo, Secretary-General of Third International Conference on SIDS, celebrated a “new understanding” of Samoa, highlighting the country’s steady performance in their preparations, and looking forward to the conference.

The opening statements were followed by a performance by more than 500 Samoan children and youth, who presented cultural dances to the audience.

Prior to the opening ceremony, participants attended the launch of a photographic exhibition in celebration of the International Year of SIDS, which illustrates the lives of people living in SIDS. Nikhil Seth, Director of the Division for Sustainable Development, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), opened the event, thanking, among others, the governments of Turkey and Palau, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and Magnum Photos for making the exhibition possible. John Ashe, President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), said that SIDS are the fulcrum of any sustainable development issue and a microcosm of what happens at the global scale. Representatives of Nauru, Barbados, Turkey, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Seychelles also made statements.

The pre-conference Private Sector Partnerships Forum provided a platform for effective, innovative and concrete partnerships to be developed, strengthened and announced in support of the implementation efforts of SIDS sustainable development priorities. A variety of sessions and panel discussions were held, including oceans and marine resources, connectivity, sustainable agriculture, sustainable tourism, disaster risk reduction, renewable energy, and financing and support measures for a sustainable private sector in SIDS. A high-level dialogue was also held to determine options for creating an enabling environment. Political leaders, business leaders and other stakeholders shared experiences and considered the creation of a SIDS Global Business Network.