The ABAS, the visionary outcome document of the SIDS4 Conference, is adopted by the United Nations
The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), the far reaching and visionary road map to place island nations across the globe firmly on the road to resilient prosperity, has been adopted by member states at a special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly this morning.
It was a proud and significant moment for Antigua and Barbuda as the new 10-year framework for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)was symbolically gaveled into effect, coming only a few short weeks after the country hosted the 4th International Conference on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS4). The ABAS was the outcome of the historic conference that achieved inter-governmental consensus and high political ambition in a single document geared at achieving sustainable development for all SIDS.
It seeks to address the unique challenges facing SIDS by committing the international community to support their effort to improve access to finance, the scaling up of climate finance, strengthening data collection, boosting science and technological innovation, enhancing the needs of productive populations and forging strong and meaningful global partnerships.
Member states of the UN spoke glowingly about the incredible effort by Antigua and Barbuda to host SIDS4 and expressed their support for the clear and well-defined vision outlined in the ABAS..
In giving support, Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru told the UN General Assembly that speedy implementation of the ABAS was now crucial
“…we left SIDS4 with a sense of hope and optimism, albeit cautions optimism. After all, SIDS have found themselves at this juncture before. SIDS will approach the next decade with renewed tenacity and hope. We have every confidence that the United Nations and our partners will provide the meaningful support on our journey towards resilient prosperity,” Ambassador Luteru stated.
Meantime, Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Walton Webson reinforced the far-reaching ambition of the ABAS, underscoring its commitment to the key pillars of the document to include climate action, sustainable economic growth, social inclusion and equity, the health of our people, environmental people and disaster risk reduction.
Other key outcomes of the ABAS are the SIDS Centre of Excellence and the SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Services. Both are designed to provide tailored responses to the challenges that have limited sustainable development and success for island sates.
“Both must be institutionalized within the UN system and be fully supported. They offer a different approach for SIDS, one that is SIDS led, SIDS owned, and SIDS tailored,” Ambassador told members of the United Nations.
“The ABAS offers other broad range development plans and initiatives for SIDS. It must be taken as a whole and implemented as a whole. We were strategic in our approach to the ABAS and must be strategic in its execution,” he urged.
“As we are about to adopt the ABAS, let us remember that our collective actions today will shape the world of tomorrow,” Ambassador Webson concluded.
Ambassador Webson was accompanied to this morning’s meeting by his Deputy, Tumasie Blair, Counsellor Glentis Thomas and First Secretary Claxton Duberry.
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