Solomon Islands Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador H.E. Jane Waetara heads the delegation attending the Fourth International Conference on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS4) from 27th – 30th May 2024 in the twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
Solomon Islands delegation consists of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Ministry of National Development Planning and Development Co-operation, Ministry of Finance and Treasury and Solomon Islands New York Mission, The SIDS4 conference was officially opened on Monday 27th May 2024.
The conference brings together Heads of State and Governments and High-Level Representatives from the private sector, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to firmly reaffirm commitment to support the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Islands Developing States (ABAS) for the next decade (2024-2034). The ABAS is the successor of the SAMOA pathway and represents a Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity under the overall theme: Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity for SIDS.
This framework represents an ambitious agenda owned by SIDS, for SIDS and SIDS led, where the progress of today does not compromise the possibilities of tomorrow. It seeks to establish durable partnerships that upholds values of equity, national ownership, mutual trust, transparency and accountability, with focus on practical and impactful solutions and benefits across priority areas in the new 10-year development agenda.
The opening ceremony of the SIDS4 Conference was graced by a number of distinguished speakers.
King Charles III in a video message said that “the SIDS future is our future…ultimately all of us need bold and determined action”
United Nations Secretary General Mr. António Guterres also echoed during his opening remarks that it was time for both climate justice and financial justice across the vulnerable small island developing nations. This means an end to a “two-speed financial world” and SIDS paying the highest price due to climate change they played no part in causing”.
The new Antigua and Barbuda Agenda “will outline steps to achieve resilient prosperity in partnership with the international community”, said Mr. Guterres.
In welcoming all SIDS4 participants Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne warned that Ignoring SIDS’ predicament “is to gamble with our collective future, therefore we must act with conviction and unyielding resolve”.
President of the General Assembly Dennis Francis closed off the official ceremony in saying that without global financial reform, SIDS can’t unleash their full potential or reach the 2030 SDGs.
Ambassador Waetara convened two bilateral at the margins of the first plenary session respectively with the Deputy Secretary of Norway H.E. Mr. Anreas Krakiv and the United States of America’s Pacific Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum States (PIFS), H.E. Ms. Frankie Read.
The bilateral with Ms. Reads include the re-opening of U.S. Embassy in Honiara. The ongoing commitment of U.S. Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) and USAID program was also discussed. The subject of the United States renewal of the General Scheme of Preference (GSP) is critical for enabling competitive trading for Solomon Islands especially its fisheries product, particularly tuna. The U.S. Government endeavours to collaborate more with the Solomon Islands newly formed GNUT Coalition Government.
MFAET PRESS