International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

At the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States from 27 to 30 May 2024, in Antigua and Barbuda, UN Member States will formally adopt the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), a new 10-year action plan for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

SIDS are home to 3.81 million international migrants and are countries of origin of nearly 10 million migrants. Well-managed migration is an essential part of the solution to chart a course toward resilient prosperity.

While progress has been made over the last decades, SIDS remain a special case for sustainable development due to their unique challenges.

The new plan provides a blueprint to meet the global ambition of building more resilient economies and fostering prosperous and sustainable societies.

Safe, orderly and regular migration pathways – including enhanced labor migration between small islands – can help navigate demographic challenges and support economic diversification.

Migrants’ remittances and investments can serve as more sustainable, alternative sources of finance. Leveraging diasporas’ skills, networks and cultural capital can boost growth and support sustainable development, climate solutions and just transition of small islands’ economies.

Well-managed migration can be integrated into adaptation and mitigation solutions for climate and environmental resilience and to drive solutions to displacement.

Let’s act now.