This new 10-year plan will focus on practical and impactful solutions to keep SIDS afloat and give their citizens a sustainable and safe future.
The Commonwealth includes 33 small states, of which 25 are small island developing states (SIDS). The Commonwealth is a voice for the smallest and most vulnerable.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, is leading a team of international policy experts from the Commonwealth Secretariat to SIDS4.
A voice for small states
The team will engage in advocacy for urgent global issues impacting the Commonwealth Small States, especially SIDS. The team will work to amplify the voice of small states and climate-vulnerable countries of the Commonwealth, strengthen networks and partnerships and exchange knowledge and best practices to support access to climate finance and champion resilience in member countries.
Addressing the specific challenges of SIDS
The conference will seek to deliver specific initiatives and concrete deliverables to address SIDS-specific challenges including the climate crisis, biodiversity and spiralling debt.
The Commonwealth Secretariat will be participating with the aim of:
- advocating the interests of Commonwealth member countries, esp. small and other vulnerable states
- exchanging knowledge and best practices
- establishing and strengthening partnerships and networks, and
- mobilising resources for SIDS
Side events
24 May - 26 May
Global Children and Youth Action Summit and SIDS4 Conference
26 May
SIDS Global Business Network Forum - Policy Crafting an Enabling Business Environment
28 May
Harnessing Digital Economy in Asia and the Pacific
29 May
Building Resilient Economies for a Common Future
Ocean Health, Human Wealth: The importance of coral reefs
Closing the Blue Funding Gap - Mobilising a Blue Innovation and Impact Fund for Big Ocean States
Accelerating Just and Equitable Energy Transitions in Small Island Developing States
News and blogs
- “Small Island Developing States' challenges are serious, but together we are more than equal to them,” says Commonwealth Secretary-General at SIDS4
- Commonwealth Secretariat and UNIDO Forge New Partnership for Sustainable Industrial Development
- New Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy launched at SIDS4
- Global Business Network Forum at SIDS4 Promotes Innovative Partnerships for Small Island Developing States
- Commonwealth partners with UNESCAP to shine spotlight on digital economy in Asia and the Pacific at SIDS4
- Commonwealth Secretary-General to Advocate for Small States at UN SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda
- Commonwealth Champions Youth-Led Solutions at SIDS4 Summit
- Achieving Resilient Fiscal Sustainability for SIDS
- Towards Prosperity and Resilience in SIDS: Priorities for a New Programme of Action