SIDS Forum: An important way forward on the road to 2030
The socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) took center stage during the 20th meeting of the SIDS Forum organized by the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Participants took stock of progress on priority actions so far in 2021 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26).
Cristelle Pratt, OACPS Assistant Secretary-General for Climate and Environment, explained the current state of play in terms of climate actions by the SIDS Forum within the context of COP26. In this regard, she particularly highlighted the OACPS Leaders Statement for Climate Action. The statement called for COP26 to be a milestone in commitments to deliver increased ambition and action in order to achieve the Paris Agreement’s objectives.
Angelica Jacome Daza, FAO’s Director of the Office for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), provided an update on FAO’s work with SIDS within the context of COVID-19 and in light of COP26. Jacome Daza further informed about the development of a new FAO climate change strategy in 2022.
FAO Brussels Director, Raschad Al-Khafajii paid tribute to the strong collaboration between FAO and the OACPS, for the benefit of Members. Alluding to the SIDS Solutions Forum that was organized by FAO and the SIDS Solutions Platform, he stressed the importance of maintaining an active exchange and dialogue about the particular situation of the SIDS, the challenges they face as well possible solutions and best practices. He informed the meeting that preparatory work is underway within FAO to organize a series of webinars in that context.
The conference also featured a presentation by representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) displayingWHO’s Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) Programme for Small Island Developing States.
You can read more about FAO’s work with the Small Island Development States here