The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), which took place in Antigua and Barbuda from 27 to 30 May, was a crucial platform for these nations to formulate strategies to combat their specific challenges.

One of the most notable outcomes from the conference was the introduction of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS). This comprehensive document outlines how these 39 nations plan to address the pressing issues they face, particularly those exacerbated by climate change and natural disasters. The ABAS agenda emphasized the urgent need for action, noting that without significant efforts, some islands will undergo irreversible changes within the next decade.

A central focus of the conference was the protection of critical infrastructure, particularly ensuring access to freshwater. This issue is closely monitored by SEI researchers, who seek to learn from the experiences of island nations and contribute insights from their extensive research on climate resilience and infrastructure.

The event also saw several interesting commitments and initiatives, including the launch of a new Centre of Excellence for SIDS, featuring a SIDS Global Data Hub, and the official launch of SEI’s Resilient Coasts initiative in the Caribbean. These efforts underscore the many critical issues for SIDS that are often decided in other forums focusing on sustainable development and financing.

SEI’s participation at SIDS4

Barquet participated in the side event Amplifying Science in and from Small Island Developing States, which focused on enhancing collaboration between researchers within SIDS and the broader scientific community to support decision-makers more effectively. She also delivered a statement on behalf of SEI, highlighting the importance of innovative approaches to resilient infrastructure in the context of climate change.

SEI also co-hosted an official side event with organizations including UN Habitat and the International Science Council, as well as representatives from Caribbean and Pacific regional organizations and the Swedish government. The event, Unlocking multifunctional solutions: building climate resilience and sustainable blue economies, explored how islands can enhance their climate resilience through innovative solutions that combine nature-based solutions with multifunctional, modular and gridless technologies. These approaches are vital for enhancing the robustness of critical infrastructure such as electricity, water and waste treatment, particularly for SIDS.

What happens next?

Looking ahead, the conference highlighted the importance of broader discussions in global forums concerning sustainable development and financial mechanisms that impact SIDS. The ongoing negotiations regarding the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) are crucial. This index will play a key role in determining SIDS’ access to essential financial resources and help tailor strategies to their specific vulnerabilities, thus enabling more precise and impactful interventions to combat sea-level rise and enhance resilience.

There is considerable anticipation about the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund for climate justice, which is expected to further empower SIDS in their efforts to mitigate climate impacts. At the same time, SIDS will continue working on concrete solutions to various challenges, including how to protect infrastructure.

The networks formed and discussions held at SIDS4 are expected to endure, leading to new forms of collaboration and creating a collective knowledge base that would have otherwise been impossible to gather in such a short time. “This knowledge significantly enhances our ability to tailor our approaches in innovating critical infrastructures and socio-ecological interventions to increase coastal resilience”, Barquet said.