Excerpt and Photo from guardian.co.tt

Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Ambassador Fatumanava Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru, has warned islands are in grave danger of falling further behind on sustainable development goals as they “grapple with a myriad of challenges.”

His statement came mere days before the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, SIDS4, opens in Antigua and Barbuda.

Dr Luteru said on Friday that “the crisis” facing SIDS will be at the heart of the conference.

The United Nations and world leaders have declared SIDS4 will be the most pivotal summit of this decade for small island developing states (SIDS) as they unite to formalize anew action plan for achievement of sustainable development goals for SIDS.

The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), which represents 39 SIDS from the Caribbean, Pacific, Atlantic, India and South China Seas regions will be at the fore of discussions and are calling for increased global support to advance necessary progress.