Damaged dock over turquoise waters in Antigua and Barbuda

Highlights and images for 30 May 2024

St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

The dais at the closure of the 4th SIDS Conference

The dais at the closure of the 4th SIDS Conference

“Our smallness will not hold us back—not anymore.” This statement by the Maldives captured the determination showcased throughout the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

In the morning of the final day, the fifth interactive dialogue focused on investing in human capital: addressing the health crisis in SIDS and building the potential of youth in SIDS. The afternoon began with A Moment of Declaration: Feedback from Youth Summit, Private Sector Forum, Gender Forum, High-level meeting, and Civil Society Forum.

The dais during the Interactive Dialogue on Investing in Human Capital

The dais during the Interactive Dialogue on Investing in Human Capital

Delegates heard reports on the Interactive Dialogues, and a report on the High-level meeting with international financial institutions, development banks, and major donors on resource mobilization for SIDS.

The delegates then adopted the “Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS: A Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity” (ABAS) as the outcome of the Conference, and recommended that the UN General Assembly endorse ABAS during its upcoming 78th session.

Closing statements included accolades for the warm hospitality and smoothly-run meeting provided by Antigua and Barbuda. Cabo Verde announced his country would host SIDS5 in 2035.

During her intervention, the representative from Barbados, where the first SIDS conference took place 30 years ago, cited Antigua and Barbuda’s national motto, “Each endeavoring, all achieving,” as a fitting note on which to conclude the meeting.

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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For the 4th SIDS Conference, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB - Diego Noguera

Participants

Negotiating blocs
Small Island Developing States
Non-state coalitions
Youth

Tags

Topic
Islands