AUA Assures Conference Facilities will be completed ahead of SIDS4

By Aabigayle McIntosh

Assurance has been given that the Convention Centre at the American University of Antigua (AUA) will be ready for the hosting of the 4th International Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)

The center can sit 1,000 in the main conference and more in other areas.

Associate Vice President of Administration Marlon Destin told state media they are currently working on carpeting and other main details.

He also maintains the project will be completed well ahead of the May 27 to 30 conference.

“The work is going well; the progress is going well. The UN is here on the ground and they have visited the site several times they are pleased about the progress and we are happy about that,” Destin said.

The conference center along with the entire facility at AUA will be handed over to the UN Officials on May 26th.

“This main building will be for the plenary sessions, there are other facilities on the campus where the UN will be having their various meetings,” he added.

The car facilities and others on the exterior will also be upgraded in time for the conference.

Organized by the United Nations every decade, SIDS4 will bring together leaders from the 39 independent States 18 Associate Members of United Nations regional commissions and other world leaders, officials, and experts from the private sector, academia, and civil society, to address the unique challenges facing SIDS.

The conference will also provide a platform for Antigua and Barbuda to showcase its own experiences, successes, and challenges, and to advocate for the needs of SIDS on the global stage.

SIDS4 will cover a range of important topics, including climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean conservation, disaster risk reduction, access to finance, debt sustainability and the overall sustainable development of SIDS.

The outcome of the conference is expected to be a comprehensive plan of action that will offer solutions to the unique challenges of SIDS, as well as a new 10-year framework for international cooperation and support.