Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are stewards of vast ocean resources and play a key role in efforts to sustainably manage ocean and coastal resources. SIDS are often the first to feel the effects of global environmental problems, due to their often small size, isolated locations, and vulnerability to climate change. Climate change and sea level rise pose a major threat to the natural environment, economy, and social structure of SIDS. While most SIDS are keenly aware of the importance of the marine environment and its resources to their sustainable development and economic stability, many of these nations lack the capacity to address major ocean and coastal issues.
The Global Ocean Forum has strived to support SIDS in articulating their priorities in various global fora and identifying means to improve SIDS’ capacity to benefit from, and sustainably manage, their marine resources. The Global Ocean Forum has worked with the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) since 2001, when SIDS and ocean interests became particularly active in advancing the SIDS, oceans, and coasts agenda at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The Global Ocean Forum has participated in, and provided analytical input to, the 2005 Mauritius International Meeting to review the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, and has worked with SIDS representatives in assessing and responding to capacity development needs in ocean and coastal management. The GOF will also work with SIDS leaders to address key ocean and coastal issues in the upcoming Third International Conference on SIDS, September 1-4, 2014, Samoa.
For more information on the Global Ocean Forum’s work on Small Island Developing States, please click here.