This position note was published in September 2019 to coincide with the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Small island developing states are each unique. Due to their size and relative isolation, their economies, environment and social fabric are highly vulnerable to shocks. This places them at a distinct disadvantage compared with larger countries, and they require additional support for sustainable development.
Tourism represents more than 30 per cent of small island developing states’ total exports and focuses primarily on fragile biotic systems like beaches, reefs and other coastal resources. The cost of oil imports and debt servicing of up to 70 per cent of gross domestic product has left small island developing states highly vulnerable to fuel price fluctuations.
How is the UN Environment Programme contributing to small islands' sustainable development?
With the small islands’ high vulnerability to the adverse impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, enhancing resilience is UN Environment Programme (UNEP)’s priority. UNEP supports countries to reduce, prepare for, and respond to disasters, and to implement national and international mitigation commitments.
Together with its partners, UNEP works with regional bodies and countries on regional and national projects supported under the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund as well as by major donors and development partners such as the European Union, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Projects have focused on:
- Work on sustainable development targets, integrated water resource management and water use efficiency plans in the Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles and Cape Verde
- Support to include the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity into national planning
- Support in efforts to preserve Caribbean ecosystems and ensure sustainable livelihoods
Way forward
UNEP will continue to advocate for environmentally friendly infrastructure, clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, and eco-tourism to build climate resilience in small island developing states and reduce the impacts of climate change.
Related links
- Guidance Manual on Valuation and Accounting of Ecosystem Services for Small Island Developing States
- Support to GEF Eligible Parties for the Revision of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans Phase1
- Support to GEF Eligible Parties for the Revision of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans Phase2
- Implementing Integrated Land Water and Wastewater Management in Caribbean SIDS
For more information contact: Takehiro Nakamura
