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President Ramkalawan’s statement at the plenary session of the general debate – Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS 4)
May 28, 2024 | Foreign Affairs.
His Excellency Gaston Alfonso Brown, Chairman of the Conference
Mr. AnteUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Excellencies,
Dear delegates,
On behalf of the people of Seychelles, I would like to express our gratitude to the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for their warm welcome and for hosting the Fourth Conference on Small Island Developing States.
First, I would like to express my solidarity and condolences to the President and the people of Papua New Guinea for the unbearable loss of life caused by yesterday’s tragic events.
Today, we come together in a shared commitment to address the unique challenges facing small island states. Despite three decades of recognition that small island developing States deserve special treatment, we face a complex and interconnected web of problems, including climate change, rising sea levels, environmental degradation, catastrophic pandemics, geopolitical tensions, economic fragility and sustainable development. These issues have led to rising debt levels and a lack of capacity to invest in resilience and climate action, making the pursuit of lasting prosperity a daunting and seemingly endless task.
In the face of these severe challenges, I would like to share five views around the theme of “Let us unite.”“Charting a Path to Resilient Prosperity”
- As SIDS, we need to unite. We represent the world’s island nations, whether we are in the Atlantic, Pacific, Africa or Asia. In the past, we have let ourselves down by not being able to speak with a unified voice, with each region defending its own turf. For example, at COP28, we failed to present a unified SIDS position. Can we agree to work together and unite at this summit?
- Island nations are unique. We are isolated, without any road network connecting us to any continent. We all face the same problems and vulnerabilities. When there is a war on the continent, we are the first to suffer from the rising cost of living. Industrialization, no matter how good it is for the planet, affects us because sea level rise, climate crisis and related disasters affect us first. Pollution from the continent eventually reaches our shores. Storms originating from islands thousands of miles away reach our shores. So let us unite.
- The climate crisis will devastate us all. We are already reeling from coastal erosion, coral bleaching, rising sea levels, increased storm surges, and widespread destruction of biodiversity and marine life. Tourism is a vital part of our economy and is closely tied to the beauty of our environment. Working together will ensure we protect our economic gains so we can continue to provide a good education, adequate healthcare, and a good standard of living for our children and grandchildren.
- SIDS have been strong supporters of the adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index. The world is moving slowly, but we are suffering. It is not fair. We are being labeled by those who are destroying our survival. They always have an excuse. SIDS must understand: our intention is not to beg or rob others, we just want to get concessional financing so that we can face the future and survive. That is why we believe in the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.
- Finally, I once again call on our partners in the Small Island Developing States to unite on the issue of the Loss and Damage Fund. Let us not start to differentiate between each other on who should get the funds. All islands are affected by the oceans, whether they are islands that have been hit by hurricanes or other disasters, either because of climate change or environmental disasters. For example, Seychelles has not been hit by any hurricanes, but our rainy season, which was supposed to end at the end of January, still came with great force, causing floods, landslides and other disasters. So, can we unite again so that all our affected islands and other countries can have access to this climate fund so that we can sustain our survival without financial setbacks.
We must remain steadfast in our plans for a more resilient, prosperous and sustainable future. We have embraced innovative solutions, fostered international partnerships and championed environmental protection. However, addressing these challenges requires collective global action, and above all solidarity.
Excellencies,
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that small island developing States have been playing a constructive role in promoting harmony, peace and environmental protection. Success depends on the joint efforts of governments, the multilateral system, civil society, the private sector and youth, who deserve to be meaningfully involved in shaping their countries’ future. Cooperation, sharing of best practices and innovation are the keys to overcoming adversity and creating a brighter future and prosperity for all.
Let us seize this moment to build new partnerships, share best practices, and chart a path to a more sustainable and prosperous future for SIDS. Let us draw inspiration from the resilience and resourcefulness of our people. Although the challenges ahead are daunting, I am confident that through joint efforts and commitment to innovation, we can overcome adversity and create a brighter future for all.
Thanks.
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