Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)

General Debate

(Date: 28^th May 2024; Venue: Plenary Hall)

Statement delivered by Mr. Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West), Vice Minister

Madam President,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the hosts of this conference, the Government of Antigua & Barbuda for the excellent arrangements and their warm hospitality.

Being here, at this scenic island nation, for the 4^th SIDS Conference has given us all the opportunity to see, with our own eyes, the unique conditions and circumstances of our friends and partners from the Small Island Developing States, as well as the special challenges that they face.

India would also like to add its voice in expressing condolences to the Government of Papua New Guinea for the recent landslides and terrific loss of lives. A support of immediate relief assistance has been announced by the Government of India.

India, with a coastline of over 7500 kms along with diverse island communities of its own, has always been very conscious of and sensitive to the special situation of the Small Island Developing States. This appreciation of their special circumstances has been shaped and reinforced by our longstanding, traditional and strong bonds of friendship as fellow developing countries of the Global South. We hope to further strengthen these bonds in the coming years.

Madam President,

In a couple of days, we will be adopting the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) – a Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity. We are pleased with the high level of ambition that the international community has displayed in our combined efforts to support the SIDS in ensuring sustainable development for their people in all its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental.

India also recognises the progress made on the SAMOA Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy¹, and believes that the momentum gathered during the implementation of these roadmaps should fuel the work before us.

India, for its part, will continue to support implementing of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS through its long-standing bilateral development partnerships, that include concessional financing, grant assistance, and capacity building and training programmes. Under the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, over the last 10 years, almost 6000 people from our SIDS partner countries have attended training courses in India. We are hoping to double this number in the coming years.

In addition, since 2017, through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, we have also focused on the SIDS. Presently, the Fund supports 82 projects in 57 countries, of which half are SIDS. Last year, we launched a global Capacity Building Initiative with the office of the UN Resident Commissioner in India to share India’s development experiences, best practices and expertise with partner countries. Apart from these, we also have regional initiatives like the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, which is aiming for all round development of the Pacific SIDS.

Madam President,

As we begin a new decade of action for SIDS, it will be important for us to focus on implementing the various initiatives contained in the ABAS. International Development partnerships would naturally play an important role in assisting the SIDS, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, disaster risk reduction, digitalisation and the creation of digital public infrastructure.

Since 2015, India has also been promoting solar energy through the International Solar Alliance. This has been an important driver in the deployment of solar energy technologies as a means of bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries, many of whom are, in fact, SIDS.

India remains committed to strengthening disaster resilience efforts among SIDS through the Coalition for Disaster Resilience (CDRI) which India helped launch in 2019. The Infrastructure for Resilient Islands States Initiative (IRIS) of the CDRI is unique, in that it is co-owned, co-managed and co-operated by SIDS. IRIS is now supporting programme work across 13 SIDS, building resilience, including through projects to support retrofitting of houses, schools, and hospitals; improving multi-hazard early warning, etc. In fact, I am delighted to inform you that a second Call for Proposals of CDRI was launched yesterday (27 May)on the sidelines of this Conference.

Madam President,

In conclusion, I wish to reiterate India’s long-standing commitment to supporting the SIDS as they face unique challenges and vulnerabilities, and to assure all our friends and partners among the SIDS of India’s continued endeavour to helping them realise their development aspirations.

I thank you.