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High stakes and high seas

Opening a new chapter for Small Island Developing States

May 23^rd, 2024

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In a rapidly changing world with overlapping climate and economic crises, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique challenges. Most are still recovering from the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, which devastated the tourism industry. They are also hampered because of their size, remoteness and almost complete dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Climate change is now an everyday reality for islanders. Sea levels are rising faster than in other parts of the world. At the present rate Grand Bahama and Andros Island, along with parts of New Providence will be underwater by 2050. The Maldives, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands Nauru and Kiribati could be uninhabitable by 2100. This could create 600,000 climate refugees.

Extreme weather is becoming an increasingly frequent and more severe. Since 2000, over 335 natural disasters have cost SIDS an estimated US$22.7 billion. More than 40 percent of SIDS have unsustainable levels of debt, and being almost completely dependent on fossil fuels, they are vulnerable to oil price rises.

Rising up for SIDS

But SIDS also have remarkable advantages and are demonstrating ingenuity and leadership, even as they contribute relatively little to the climate crisis. They represent nearly 20 percent of the world’s offshore exclusive economic zones, and along with harnessing the power of digital innovation, have the potential to create diverse and prosperous economies.

The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, (SIDS4) which takes place in May in Antigua and Barbuda, will yoke these strengths to the international will to chart a 10-year course towards resilient prosperity.

The stakes are high. If we do not change the present trajectory, many SIDS will sink beneath the waves or become uninhabitable.

In Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024, the international community will gather to review SIDS’ sustainable development progress and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions to supercharge their path to resilient prosperity. Photo: Shutterstock

Small Island Digital States

UNDP invests about US$400 million per year to protect local biodiversity, leverage private capital, support sustainable agriculture, digitalization, clean energy, and to promote nature-friendly tourism. But much more needs to be done.

SIDS overwhelmingly want to take the lead on becoming Small Island Digital States.

The potential for transformation is enormous. Digital connectivity is often low issue because of remoteness and poor and costly ICT infrastructure. Technological advances can improve productivity and innovation, create new business opportunities and ensure e-services, such as telemedicine, reach remote areas.

UNDP conducts comprehensive Digital Readiness Assessments in over 15 SIDS – and having positioned digital transformation as a key pillar of the UNDP ‘Rising Up for SIDS’ initiative.

In Latin America, UNDP has launched the Digital 4 Development hub to counter what is one of the world’s largest inequalities when it comes to technology.

What is needed

For these efforts to spread, they require longer-term planning, and dedicated funding.

The UNDP Data Platform for SIDS is a freely available digital tool for accelerating development in SIDS by providing policymakers, research institutions, country offices, and development partners with access to updated, standardized, and comprehensive data.

The UNDP SIDS Data Platform allows users to discover and analyze data in the form of country profiles, development indicators, multidimensional vulnerability indexes geospacial and financial data. Graphic: UNDP

Clean and affordable energy is a must for island nations. UNDP is committed to assisting SIDS to increase the share of renewables and work towards 100 percent renewable energy production.

Tuvalu is leading with its inaugural Floating Solar Photvoltaic system. It has broken the cycle of dependence on fossil fuels, is providing two percent of the capital, Funatuti’s energy and is paving the way for others to follow.

Many island nations’ crushing levels of debt are diverting funds from education, healthcare, security and social protection.

Nature Performance Bonds allow countries to target sustainable finance while keeping with international environmental goals, and Fiji’s first sovereign blue bond will unlock the economic potential of its blue economy.

Blue bonds are designed as economic incentives for countries to prioritize conservation. Fiji's blue bond seeks to raise private sector funds for transformative ocean activities, while supporting marine conservation. Photo: UNDP Fiji

Water and oceans

Rising sea levels in SIDS is compounding the challenges, with rainfall becoming increasingly unpredictable. Freshwater resources have faced increasing pressures from overuse and pollution. Water shortages affect islanders’ health, food security, and livelihoods.

With funding from the Green Climate Fund, half of Comoros will soon benefit from new, climate resilient water infrastructure. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs is supporting fishing communities in Mauritius with rainwater harvesting tanks and diversifying incomes with poultry farming. The Seychelles is working with the GEF Small Grants Programme to address marine plastic pollution.

UNDP’s Ocean Innovation Challenge has produced several successful new technologies including real-time, space-based maritime surveillance for illegal fishing in Mauritius, and a new plan to close the loop on plastic waste in Maldives. And we are a founding partner of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs which unlocks public and private investment that improves the health of these precious and vital marine resources.

Nine countries in the Caribbean are participating in EnGenDER, a project which shores up food security and encourages women to become farmers.

Economic diversification

To supercharge these efforts and more, UNDP, with sister UN agencies, will launch the US$135 million Blue and Green Islands Integrated Programme at SIDS4.

Financed by the Global Environment Facility, the single largest investment in SIDS will provide 15 island nations with the resources to foster economic diversification as they pursue their aims to become prosperous large ocean states with vibrant blue economies.

"SIDS are on the frontlines of climate change and natural resource scarcity, already facing the extremes of sea level rise, unpredictable weather events, and environmental degradation that millions more will face tomorrow. But SIDS are also the pioneers: demonstrating today what is possible for a global shift to nature-positive future. The Blue and Green Islands Programme will be a springboard for SIDS to seize the potential ahead of them as large ocean states and offer inspiration, insights and scalable innovation for sectors and countries the world over. UNDP is excited to work with these trailblazing governments, alongside our valuable partners, including GEF."