Antigua and Barbuda, along with the Maldives, led a significant conversation at COP29 aimed at tackling the increasing debt issues faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) through a groundbreaking initiative: the Global SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Service (DSSS).

The event, titled “Operationalising Global SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Service: Resilient Prosperity in the Face of Climate Crisis,” took place at the Independent University’s SHARE Hub and brought together leaders, experts, and various stakeholders.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne and H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, delivered keynote speeches emphasizing the importance of this initiative.

Prime Minister Browne pointed out the severe financial challenges faced by climate-vulnerable SIDS, stating, “The significant debt burdens many SIDS face, worsened by climate impacts, need urgent attention. Our DSSS initiative embodies a collective commitment to sustainable debt management, recognizing that our economic stability is vital for our citizens’ well-being and prosperity.”

The DSSS serves as an innovative mechanism specifically designed to address the unique obstacles that SIDS encounter. Its goal is to assist these nations in managing and lessening their debts, especially those stemming from climate-related disasters, while promoting sustainable recovery efforts.

In President Muizzu’s words, “SIDS are on the front lines of climate change, confronting rising sea levels, stronger storms, and other climate-related challenges. The DSSS provides us with a path toward debt relief and resilience, enabling our economies to thrive without undermining our development objectives.”

Ritu Bharadwaj, the Director of Climate Resilience and Loss & Damage at IIED, presented on the DSSS’s design and objectives, highlighting the integration of climate finance with debt management to ease debt burdens and promote sustainable development.

This strategy allows SIDS to focus on essential infrastructure, social services, and projects aimed at building resilience, rather than becoming trapped in cyclical debt.

A panel discussion led by international finance and climate experts delved deeper into how DSSS could be implemented.

The panel featured notable figures such as Noelle O’Brien from the Asian Development Bank, Rowan Douglas from the Insurance Development Forum, and Dr. Simona Anamaria Marinescu from the UN.

They discussed financing approaches, innovative insurance strategies, and possible UN support for SIDS in achieving debt sustainability.

Prime Minister Browne urged for a stronger commitment to climate finance, stating, “Climate finance should be viewed as a matter of climate justice in light of the injustices created by polluters. This assistance is not just aid; it’s an investment in our shared planet and future.”

The DSSS aims to collaborate with governments, international organizations, financial institutions, and civil society to establish an inclusive framework for SIDS debt sustainability.

This initiative highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing leadership in climate resilience, showcasing the country’s commitment to transforming SIDS from vulnerable entities facing climate threats to powerful models of sustainable development.