Garth Simon, Monitoring & Evaluation Associate and Project Technical Officer at the Department of Environment, represented Antigua and Barbuda at the Fifth Annual In-Person Meeting of the SIDS National Focal Points (NFP) Network, held in Vanuatu from October 14 to 16, 2024.

The meeting, convened under the theme “Coherent Implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) – Strengthening the Role of the SIDS National Focal Points Network,” focused on the effective implementation of ABAS across Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The gathering brought together key representatives from SIDS, offering an opportunity to discuss the vital components of the ABAS framework and the actions necessary for its successful implementation.

The meeting aimed to deepen understanding of the framework’s objectives, identify the challenges and opportunities faced by NFPs in applying ABAS at the national level, and strengthen partnerships between National Focal Points to drive collaborative efforts for sustainable development.

During the second day of the event, Mr. Simon delivered a presentation as part of Session 3: In-Depth Discussion on ABAS Focus Areas.

His presentation, titled “Navigating the Key Priorities of ABAS for Sustainable Development in SIDS: Focusing on the SIDS Center of Excellence and the Debt Sustainability and Investment Support Services Initiative,” addressed key issues such as the Debt Sustainability Support Service, the Oceans and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the SIDS Center of Excellence, and digitalization in SIDS.

These discussions were linked to critical upcoming international milestones, including the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2025, the revised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).

In his presentation, Mr. Simon emphasized the importance of these initiatives in driving economic resilience and sustainable progress across the SIDS region.

He underscored how strengthening areas such as the SIDS Center of Excellence and the Debt Sustainability and Investment Support Services Initiative will enhance the capacity of SIDS to navigate global challenges while building a more resilient and sustainable future.