The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) concluded with a compelling address by Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, who spoke on behalf of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. In his address, Minister Thoriq summarized the interactive dialogue on “Revitalizing SIDS Economies for Accelerated and Sustainable Growth.”
Minister Thoriq expressed gratitude to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda for hosting the event and acknowledged the United Nations for organizing. The closing ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Brown and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.
The highlight of the ceremony was the approval of the “Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS,” an action plan aimed at achieving sustainable development goals for small island nations over the next decade.
Side Events Highlight Initiatives and Partnerships
The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy organized two significant side events during the conference. The first event, titled “From Ambitions to Practice: Advancing SIDS4 Goals through the CSRI Initiative,” took place on 27 May. It emphasized the Climate Smart Resilient Islands (CSRI) initiative, launched in 2019, which seeks sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by small island countries and aims to bolster climate change resilience. Minister Thoriq called for collaboration among environmentally sensitive small island nations.
The second side event, “The Pivotal Role of Public-Private Partnerships for Climate Resilience in SIDS: Lessons from the Maldives,” was held on 28 May. This event showcased the efforts of both the public and private sectors in tackling climate change challenges and promoting sustainable development. Notably, the achievements of the Hulhumale Project and the development concepts of the Ras Male Project were shared.
Both events were attended by President Muizzu, reinforcing the Maldives’ commitment to climate resilience and sustainable development.
Interactive Dialogue and Financial Assistance
Minister Thoriq also represented the Maldives in one of the five interactive dialogues, “Mekong Climate Finance Work for SIDS: Building on the Outcomes of COP28.” He emphasized the urgent need for increased financial assistance from developed countries and multilateral development banks to help small island nations mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Paving the Way for Sustainable Development
The SIDS4 Conference, held every ten years, serves as a crucial platform for small island developing countries to discuss and strategize on sustainable development. This year’s conference featured essential work and discussions aimed at paving the way for a sustainable future for small island nations.
In his closing remarks, Minister Thoriq reiterated the importance of collective efforts and international cooperation in addressing the unique challenges faced by small island developing states. The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to achieving sustainable development goals and ensuring a resilient future for all small island nations.
