UNESCO's contribution to the SIDS4 International Conference

Under the overarching theme of “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity", the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) will aim at assessing the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. It will result in an intergovernmentally agreed, focused, forward-looking and action-oriented political outcome document.

In the face of escalating global crises, including climate change and COVID-19, SIDS find themselves on the frontline, constantly navigating through a cycle of environmental disasters and recovery efforts, which tests their resilience and ability to sustain their communities and economies. Under the overarching theme of “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity", the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) will aim at assessing the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. It will result in an intergovernmentally agreed, focused, forward-looking and action-oriented political outcome document.

UNESCO’s own action in support of SIDS is rooted in the fields of culture, basic and natural sciences, social and human sciences, communication and education. UNESCO will bring this expertise to the SIDS4 International Conference to help them chart a course towards greater resilience within the context of sustainable development to build prosperous societies now and for future generations.

Contributing less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions,

SIDS disproportionately suffer from climate change impacts.

UNESCO's involvement

In partnership with other agencies and countries, UNESCO will host several side events at the conference. These will serve to showcase the impact of UNESCO’s programmes working in an interdisciplinary manner across three regions in the global south - the Pacific, Africa and the Caribbean. Programmes and interventions to be discussed include culture and creative industries, education, the environment, and digital transformation.

Date and time	Title	Venue
Monday 27 May
2-3:30pm	Ocean knowledge for resilient prosperity: the role of the Ocean Decade to underpin sustainable ocean economies in SIDS	Room 4
4-5:30 pm	Empowering Caribbean Youth in Cultural & Creative industries for innovation & resilience	Room 4
Tuesday 28 May
8-9:30 am	Culture in the SIDS Programme of Action 2024-2034 \| Youth-Decision makers Panel discussion	Room 8
10-11:30 am	Nature-based Coastal Resilience for Caribbean SIDS	Room 2
10-11:30 am	UNESCO, SIDS and Sport: Bridging the Pacific, Caribbean, and Indian Ocean: Investment, Inclusion and Innovation	Room 3
1:30-3 pm		ID Room
2-3:30 pm	Showcasing Successes and Navigating the Next Decade of Action with SIDS	Room 10
4-5:30 pm	UNESCO Operational Strategy for Small Island Developing States (SIDS): building resilience	Room 10
Wednesday 29 May
8-9:30 am	High-Level Side Event on Digital Transformation for Resilience in the Eastern Caribbean: from crises to opportunities	Room 9
10-11:30 am		Room 5
Thursday 30 May
8-9:30 am	Enhancing Higher Education for Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)	Room 3
10-11:30 am	Leveraging Environmental Data for Development through South-South Cooperation	Room 2
12-1:30 pm	Importance of UNESCO-designated sites (World Heritage sites and biosphere reserves) for diversified and sustainable economic development in SIDS	Room 3