SIDS4

The summit culminated in the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) declaration, outlining four key thematic goals to address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and debt. This case study examines SIDS4's impact on shaping policy and sustainable development strategies for small island nations from 2024 to 2034.

Case Studies

What was SIDS4?

Policymakers from 57 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and associate member states were present in Antigua & Barbuda between 27-30 May to create the next set of sustainable development frameworks that will dictate the next decade of policy making. The International Conference on Small Island Developing States happens every ten years, this fourth iteration (SIDS4) aimed to assess the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals.

 

During the four-day summit, experts from government, academia, and civil society from SIDS and beyond gathered to advance new ideas, raise new pledges of support, spur delivery on agreed commitments, and seek to deliver specific initiatives and concrete deliverables to address SIDS-specific challenges including the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and debt. The close of the conference saw the publishing of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) declaration, which outlines the decision-making pathways guiding SIDS between 2024-34 under four key thematic goals:

 

  • Build resilient economies;
  • Foster safe, healthy and prosperous societies;
  • A secure future;
  • Environmental protection and planetary sustainability.

SIDS4 Side Events

Island Innovation organized and co-hosted seven side events during SIDS4, each focused on different aspects of development, policy, and sustainability. This was the largest number of side-events to be run by a single organization at SIDS4. The short turnaround between the UN’s announcement of successful side-even applicants and the beginning of the conference, roughly two months, was more than enough for Island Innovation to coordinate with partners to find locations on the ground in Antigua, create an engaging agenda, identify high-level speakers for each event, and launch targeted communications campaigns advertising each session.

Catalysing Climate Finance Flows for Overseas Territories and Sub-National Island Jurisdictions

(Online) Building blue bridges: Charting a course for resiliency with a focus on economic diversification and inter-regional collaboration

Amplifying action in the call for climate justice: An inclusive approach for meaningful change

Financing on the edge: Making climate finance work for the Caribbean’s most vulnerable populations

Unlocking sustainable futures in SIDS: national climate policies and actions on clean energy and climate finance

Facilitating innovation and capacity building in SIDS: Leveraging the power of technology to foster economic, social, and cultural resilience

Over 430 stakeholders registered to attend these sessions, translating to equally strong in-person attendance.

Speakers

Speakers for each session were leveraged from Island Innovation’s extensive network of stakeholders and experts, as well as sourced from our respective partners.

Hon. Gilmar Pisas

Prime Minister of Curacao

Joseph Easton Taylor-Farrell

Premier, Government of Montserrat

Ruisandro Cijntje

Minister of Economic Development, Government of Curacao

Joshua Tenorio

Lt. Governor, Government of Guam

Anjelica Cicilia

Commissioner, Government of Bonaire

Dr Shelly Ann Cox

Ocean Professional, University of the West Indies

Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke

Minister of Sustainable Development, St Kitts and Nevis

Edison Rijna

Special Envoy for the BES islands for EU and UN and Economic Development with Latin America and Caribbean

Arieta Gonelevu Rakai

Regional Programme Officer, Islands at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Gwen Sisior

UN Permanent Mission of Palau to the United Nations

Partners

Press

Case Studies

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Clients in a range of industries within the sustainability ecosystem trust Island Innovation to help them gain visibility, connect with their audiences and generate new business opportunities.

Our Services

Island Innovation

Sustainable economic development consultancy for islands

Island Innovation Services

Sustainable solutions for thriving island economies

We specialize in advancing sustainable economic development strategies tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of island regions worldwide. Our consultancy services help governments, organizations, and communities balance economic growth with environmental resilience and social well-being. Through our extensive island-focused network, strategic partnerships, and innovative approaches, we deliver targeted solutions.

We design and deliver transformative learning experiences that build local capabilities, and unlock economic opportunities through skill development and network building. Our approach emphasizes practical, participatory methodologies that empower stakeholders to drive their own development.
Key Services:
  • Interactive workshop design and facilitation
  • Customized training programs and knowledge transfer initiatives
  • Innovation laboratories and accelerators
  • Stakeholder catalyst events and co-creation sessions
Our consulting services help islands balance economic growth with environmental and climate needs. We support clients from strategy development through implementation, ensuring practical and sustainable outcomes for island communities.
Key Services:
  • Sustainable economic development strategy formulation
  • Access to funding opportunities and grant applications
  • Impact investment opportunity identification and analysis
  • Project implementation support and management
  • Environmental and social impact evaluation
We develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies that amplify impact and engage stakeholders. Our approach combines traditional and digital channels to reach diverse audiences effectively, highlighting economic potential and investment opportunities to drive regional prosperity.
Key Services:
  • Communication strategy development
  • Content creation and dissemination
  • Digital platform management
  • Strategic framework development
  • Stakeholder engagement campaigns
  • PR & media relations
We facilitate productive relationships between stakeholders and help navigate complex policy landscapes. Our work supports effective dialogue and collaboration between public and private sectors, including applications to government tenders through consortia.
Key Services:
  • Institutional relationship building
  • Public-private partnership facilitation
  • Media relations management
  • Strategic event planning
  • Government relations support
Working closely with our academic partners, we provide evidence-based insights and recommendations to inform decision-making and policy development for island regions.
Key Services:
  • Diagnostic needs assessments and feasibility studies
  • Baseline evaluations and performance analytics
  • Dashboard development and stakeholder mapping
  • Research synthesis and reporting
  • Evidence-based policy recommendations
We transform gatherings into catalysts for sustainable development through collaboration and inspiration. With extensive expertise in producing, managing, and promoting diverse event formats—including in-person, virtual, and hybrid events—we create memorable experiences that convene key stakeholders.
Key Services:
  • Strategic event design and concept development
  • In-person, virtual, and hybrid event production
  • Speaker and participant curation
  • Stakeholder engagement and audience building
  • Event facilitation and moderation
  • Post-event reporting and impact assessment
  • Event promotion and media coverage coordination

We are a strategic consultancy which offers unique insights into sustainable development for islands

We are pioneers in unlocking the potential of islands worldwide, by offering insights and expertise in sustainable development. Our approach considers the interplay between environmental preservation, economic growth, and social empowerment, tailored specifically for the challenges and opportunities presented by island ecosystems.

We are commited to help:

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Island Innovation offers a range of consultancy services, including island development strategies, impact program design and coordination, event organization, strategic communications, public and media relations, and government affairs.

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