Dr. Terrance Drew to lead a delegation to SIDS4

Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, together with Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action, and others, Dr. Joyelle Clarke, will lead a delegation to the much-anticipated Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).

The conference is scheduled to take place at the American University of Antigua in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda from May 27th to May 30th.

The SIDS conference is a ten-yearly event, occurring once every ten (10) years, with the previous (SIDS3) being held in 2014 in Samoa.

With the overarching theme of “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity,” the SIDS4 Conference aims to critically assess the ability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to achieve sustainable development, with a specific focus on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.

A key outcome of the conference will be the creation of a political document focused on action and endorsed by governments, aimed at promoting resilience and prosperity in SIDS communities.

Prime Minister Drew stated, “We expect that SIDS4 will facilitate a necessary gathering of leaders and stakeholders to collaborate under the theme of charting a course toward resilient prosperity, and so the Federation is eager to host our National side-event at the Conference venue to discuss the intersectionality of health, human capital, and the climate crisis.

Crucially, the Federation is prepared to work together to ensure the realization of the SIDS4 Outcome Document that will serve as the comprehensive plan of action for the next decade.

Comprising 37 United Nations member nations and 20 associated members of regional commissions, SIDS holds a distinctive but challenging position at the forefront of global crises, particularly climate change. In the face of growing challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, SIDS continually navigate through cycles of environmental disasters and recovery efforts, testing their resilience and economic sustainability.

SIDS encounter numerous challenges including high import/export costs, heavy dependence on external markets, and limited natural resources.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is prepared to unite with other SIDS to advocate for progressive and tailored action for the sustainable development of small island states.