Samoa Pathway

SIDS ACCELERATED
MODALITIES OF ACTION
(S.A.M.O.A.) PATHWAY
SIDS ACCELERATED
MODALITIES OF ACTION
(S.A.M.O.A.) PATHWAY
Preamble
1. We, the Heads of State and Government
and high-level representatives, having met in
Apia from 1 to 4 September 2014 at the third
International Conference on Small Island
Developing States, with the full participation of
civil society and relevant stakeholders, reaffirm
our commitment to the sustainable development
of small island developing States. This can be
achieved only with a broad alliance of people,
governments, civil society and the private sector
all working together to achieve the future we
want for present and future generations.
2. We reaffirm the commitments we made at
United Nations conferences and summits on
sustainable development: the Rio Declaration
on Environment and Development1, Agenda 212,
the Programme for the Further Implementation
of Agenda 213, the Plan of Implementation of
the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(Johannesburg Plan of Implementation)4,
including chapter VII, on the sustainable
development of small island developing
1 Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment

and Development, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 3-14 June 1992, vol.
I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations
publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution
1, annex I.
2 Ibid., annex II.
3 Resolution S-19/2, annex.
4 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August-4 September 2002
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and
corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 2, annex.
S.A.M.O.A. Pathway | 1
the United Nations Millennium Declaration9,
States, and the Johannesburg Declaration on the 2005 World Summit Outcome10, the
Sustainable Development5, the Programme of Monterrey Consensus of the International
Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Conference on Financing for Development11,
Island Developing States (Barbados Programme the Doha Declaration on Financing for
of Action)6 and the Mauritius Strategy for the Development: outcome document of the Follow-
Further Implementation of the Programme of up International Conference on Financing for
Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Development to Review the Implementation
Island Developing States (Mauritius Strategy)7, of the Monterrey Consensus12, the outcome
and the outcome document of the United Nations document of the high-level plenary meeting
Conference on Sustainable Development, of the General Assembly on the Millennium
entitled “The future we want”8. We further Development Goals13, the Programme of Action
underscore that these processes are still being of the International Conference on Population
implemented and that there is a need for a and Development14, the key actions for the
more integrated approach to the sustainable further implementation of the Programme
development of small island developing States, of Action of the International Conference on
with the support of the international community Population and Development15 and the Beijing
and all stakeholders. Declaration and Platform for Action16.
3. We recall as well our commitments in the
outcomes of all the major United Nations
conferences and summits in the economic,
social and environmental fields, including
9 General Assembly resolution 55/2.
10 General Assembly resolution 60/1.
11 Report of the International Conference on Financing for
Development, Monterrey, Mexico, 18 22 March 2002 (United
5 Ibid., resolution 1, annex.
Nations publication, Sales No. E.02.II.A.7), chap. I, resolution
6 Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable 1, annex.
Development of Small Island Developing States, Bridgetown,
12 General Assembly resolution 63/239, annex.
Barbados, 25 April-6 May 1994 (United Nations publication,
Sales No. E.94.I.18 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, 13 Resolution 65/1.
annex II. 14 Report of the International Conference on Population and
7 Report of the International Meeting to Review the Development, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994 (United Nations
Implementation of the Programme of Action for the publication, Sales No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution 1,
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, annex.
Port Louis, Mauritius, 10 14 January 2005 (United Nations 15 Resolution S-21/2, annex.
publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I,
16 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing,
resolution 1, annex II.
4-15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No.
8 Resolution 66/288, annex. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
2 | S.A.M.O.A. Pathway S.A.M.O.A. Pathway | 3

4. We reaffirm that we continue to be guided by 7. We reaffirm the importance of freedom,
the purposes and principles of the Charter of the peace and security, respect for all human rights,
United Nations, with full respect for international including the right to development and the right
law and its principles. to an adequate standard of living, including the
right to food, the rule of law, gender equality,
5. We reaffirm that small island developing
women’s empowerment, reducing inequalities
States remain a special case for sustainable
and the overall commitment to just and
development in view of their unique and
democratic societies for development.
particular vulnerabilities and that they remain
constrained in meeting their goals in all three 8. We reaffirm the importance of the Universal
dimensions of sustainable development. We Declaration of Human Rights17, as well as other
recognize the ownership and leadership of small international instruments relating to human
island developing States in overcoming some of rights and international law. We emphasize the
these challenges, but stress that in the absence responsibilities of all States, in conformity with
of international cooperation, success will remain the Charter, to respect, protect and promote
difficult. human rights and fundamental freedoms for all,
without distinction of any kind as to race, colour,
6. We recognize that poverty eradication,
sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
changing unsustainable and promoting
national or social origin, property, birth, disability
sustainable patterns of consumption and
or other status.
production and protecting and managing the
natural resource base of economic and social 9. We reaffirm our commitment to move the
development are the overarching objectives sustainable development agenda forward,
of and essential requirements for sustainable and in this regard we urge all parties to take
development. We also reaffirm the need to concrete measures to expeditiously advance
achieve sustainable development by promoting the sustainable development of small island
sustained, inclusive and equitable economic developing States, including through the
growth, creating greater opportunities for all, internationally agreed development goals,
reducing inequalities, raising basic standards in order for them to eradicate poverty, build
of living, fostering equitable social development resilience and improve the quality of life. We
and inclusion and promoting the integrated and recognize the need to implement expeditiously,
sustainable management of natural resources through genuine and durable partnerships,
and ecosystems that supports, inter alia, the global effort in support of the sustainable
economic, social and human development development of small island developing States
while facilitating ecosystem conservation, through concrete, focused, forward-looking
regeneration, restoration and resilience in the and action-oriented programmes.
face of new and emerging challenges.
17 General Assembly resolution 217 A (III).

10. We reaffirm all the principles of the Rio 14. We recognize that, in spite of the considerable
Declaration on Environment and Development, efforts of small island developing States and
including the principle of common but the mobilization of their limited resources,
differentiated responsibilities, as set out their progress in the attainment of the
in principle 7 thereof. internationally agreed development goals,
including the Millennium Development Goals,
11. We recognize that sea-level rise and other
and in implementing the Barbados Programme
adverse impacts of climate change continue to
of Action and the Mauritius Strategy has been
pose a significant risk to small island developing
uneven, and some have regressed economically.
States and their efforts to achieve sustainable
A number of significant challenges remain.
development and, for many, represent the
gravest of threats to their survival and viability, 15. We recognize that the adverse impacts of
including, for some, through the loss of territory. climate change compound existing challenges
in small island developing States and have
12. With the theme of the third International
placed additional burdens on their national
Conference on Small Island Developing States
budgets and their efforts to achieve the
being “The sustainable development of small
sustainable development goals. We note the
island developing States through genuine
views expressed by small island developing
and durable partnerships”, we recognize that
States that the financial resources available
international cooperation and partnerships
to date have not been adequate to facilitate the
of various kinds and across a wide variety of
implementation of climate change adaptation
stakeholders are critical for the implementation
and mitigation projects, and we also recognize
of the sustainable development of small island
that, at times, complex application procedures
developing States. Such partnerships should be
have prevented some small island developing
based on the principles of national ownership,
States from gaining access to funds that are
mutual trust, transparency and accountability.
available internationally. In this regard, we
13. We acknowledge that the further implementation welcome the recent Green Climate Fund Board
of the Barbados Programme of Action and the decision to aim for a floor of 50 per cent of the
Mauritius Strategy and the implementation adaptation allocation for particularly vulnerable
of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action countries, including small island developing
(SAMOA) Pathway (Samoa Pathway) in support States, and we note the importance of continued
of the sustainable development of small island support to address gaps in the capacity to gain
developing States would require appropriate access to and manage climate finance.
consideration in the post-2015 development
16. We note that small island developing States
agenda.
consider that the level of resources has been
insufficient to ensure their capacity to respond

effectively to multiple crises, and that without the national and regional levels despite their
the necessary resources, they have not fully limited resource base. Small island developing
succeeded in building capacity, strengthening States have demonstrated strong leadership
national institutions according to national by calling for ambitious and urgent action on
priorities, gaining access and developing climate change, by protecting biodiversity, by
renewable energy and other environmentally calling for the conservation and sustainable use
sound technologies, creating an enabling of oceans and seas and their resources and by
environment for sustainable development or fully and adopting strategies for the promotion of
integrating the Barbados Programme of Action renewable energy.
and the Mauritius Strategy into national plans
19. We recognize and call for the strengthening
and strategies.
of the long-standing cooperation and support
17. We underscore the need for adequate and provided by the international community in
coordinated support from the United Nations assisting small island developing States to make
system and the importance of accessible and progress in addressing their vulnerabilities and
transparent support from the international supporting their sustainable development efforts.
financial institutions that take fully into account
20. Mindful of the importance of ensuring that the
the specific needs and vulnerabilities of small
graduation of a country from least developed
island developing States for the implementation
country status does not disrupt the development
of Barbados Programme of Action, the Mauritius
progress which that country has achieved,
Strategy and the Samoa Pathway, and we call
we reaffirm the need for the smooth transition
for a renewed dedication of United Nations
of small island developing States that have
system support for cooperation among small
recently graduated, and emphasize that a
island developing States and national, regional
successful transition needs to be based on the
and interregional coordination.
national smooth transition strategy elaborated
18. We recognize that small island developing as a priority by each graduating country, which
States have made significant efforts at the can, inter alia, mitigate the possible loss of
national and regional levels to implement concessionary financing and reduce the risks of
the Barbados Programme of Action and the falling heavily into debt.
Mauritius Strategy. They have mainstreamed
21. While the well-being of small island developing
sustainable development principles into national
States and their peoples depends first and
and in some cases regional development plans,
foremost on national actions, we recognize
policies and strategies, and undertaken political
that there is an urgent need to strengthen
commitments to promote and raise awareness
cooperation and enable strong, genuine and
of the importance of sustainable development
durable partnerships at the subnational, national,
issues. They have also mobilized resources at

subregional, regional and international levels to foreign direct investment, trade imbalances,
enhance international cooperation and action to increased indebtedness, the lack of adequate
address the unique and particular vulnerabilities transportation, energy and information and
of small island developing States so as to ensure communications technology infrastructure
their sustainable development. networks, limited human and institutional
capacity and the inability to integrate effectively
22. We reaffirm our commitment to take urgent and
into the global economy. The growth prospects
concrete action to address the vulnerability
of the small island developing States have also
of small island developing States, including
been hindered by other factors, including climate
through the sustained implementation of
change, the impact of natural disasters, the high
the Barbados Programme of Action and the
cost of imported energy and the degradation of
Mauritius Strategy, and we underscore the
coastal and marine ecosystems and sea-level
urgency of finding additional solutions to the
rise.
major challenges facing small island developing
States in a concerted manner so as to support 24. As it is vitally important to support the efforts of
them in sustaining the momentum realized small island developing States to build resilient
in implementing the Samoa Pathway. With societies and economies, we recognize that
renewed political will and strong leadership, beyond the rich ecosystems of those States,
we dedicate ourselves to working in meaningful people are their greatest resource. In order
partnership with all stakeholders at all levels. to achieve sustained, inclusive and equitable
It is in this context that the present Samoa growth with full and productive employment,
Pathway presents a basis for action in the social protection and the creation of decent
agreed priority areas. work for all, small island developing States, in
partnership with the international community,
Sustained and Sustainable, Inclusive will seek to increase investment in the education
and Equitable Economic Growth with and training of their people. Migrants and
Decent Work for All diaspora communities and organizations
also play an important role in enhancing
Development models in small island developing development in their communities of origin.
States for the implementation of sustainable Sound macroeconomic policies and sustainable
development and poverty eradication economic management, fiscal predictability,
23. We recognize that the ability of the small investment and regulatory certainty, responsible
island developing States to sustain high borrowing and lending and debt sustainability
levels of economic growth and job creation are also critical, as is the need to address high
has been affected by the ongoing adverse rates of unemployment, particularly among
impacts of the global economic crisis, declining youth, women and persons with disabilities.

25. We affirm that there are different approaches, to create an environment that supports
visions, models and tools available to each sustainable investments and growth.
country, in accordance with its national This includes the development of
circumstances and priorities, for achieving entrepreneurial and vocational skills,
sustainable development in its three dimensions, support for transitions from basic to
which is our overarching goal. In this regard, secondary education and from school
we consider the green economy in the context to work, the building and strengthening
of sustainable development and poverty of education infrastructure, better
eradication as one of the important tools health, active citizenship, respect for
available for achieving sustainable development. cultural diversity, non-discrimination
We call upon the United Nations system, and environmental consciousness for
in collaboration with other stakeholders, to all people, including women, youth and
strengthen its coordination and support of small persons with disabilities;
island developing States that want to pursue
(b) Enhancing the enabling environment at the
green economy policies.
national and regional levels to attract more
26. We acknowledge that the implementation public and private investment in building
of sustainable development depends primarily and maintaining appropriate infrastructure,
on national action and leadership. We recognize including ports, roads, transportation,
that the private sector plays an increasingly electricity and power generation and
important role in achieving sustainable information and communications
economic development, including through technology infrastructure, and also
public-private partnerships. We recognize that enhancing the development impact
sustainable development will also depend, inter of the private sector and the financial
alia, on intergovernmental and international services industry;
cooperation and the active engagement of both
(c) Fostering entrepreneurship and
the public and private sectors.
innovation, building capacity and
27. Taking into full account their national increasing the competitiveness and social
development priorities and individual country entrepreneurship of micro, small and
circumstances and legislation, we call for medium-sized enterprises and State-owned
support for the efforts of small island developing enterprises in small island developing
States to take the following actions: States, as well as encouraging inclusive
and sustainable industrial development
(a) Enhancing international cooperation,
with the participation of all people,
exchanges and investments in formal
including the poor, women, youth and
and non-formal education and training
persons with disabilities;

(d) Supporting national, regional and 28. Acknowledging the way in which debt servicing
international initiatives that develop and limits the fiscal space of highly indebted small
increase the capacity and development island developing States, we support the
impact of the financial services industry consideration of traditional and innovative
in small island developing States; approaches to promote the debt sustainability
of highly indebted small island developing
(e) Creating local decent jobs through private
States, including their continued eligibility for
and public projects and encouraging
concessionary financing from international
entrepreneurs to start up environmentally
financial institutions, as appropriate, and the
sound businesses through adequate and
strengthening of domestic revenue mobilization.
appropriate incentives;
29. We acknowledge the importance of addressing
(f) Promoting and fostering an environment
debt sustainability to ensure the smooth
conducive to increased public and private
transition of those small island developing
sector investment and the creation of
States that have graduated from least developed
decent jobs and livelihoods that contribute
country status.
to sustainable development, with full
respect for international labour standards; Sustainable tourism
(g) Promoting and enhancing the use 30. Recognizing that sustainable tourism represents
of information and communications an important driver of sustainable economic
technologies for, inter alia, education, the growth and decent job creation, we strongly
creation of employment, in particular youth support small island developing States in taking
employment, and economic sustainability the following actions:
purposes in small island developing States;
(a) Developing and implementing policies that
(h) Promoting and enhancing gender equality promote responsive, responsible, resilient
and women’s equal participation, including and sustainable tourism, inclusive of all
in policies and programmes in the public peoples;
and private sectors in small island
(b) Diversifying sustainable tourism through
developing States;
products and services, including large-
(i) Setting national regulatory and policy scale tourism projects with positive
frameworks, as appropriate, that enable economic, social and environmental
business and industry to advance impacts and the development of
sustainable development initiatives, ecotourism, agritourism and cultural
taking into account the importance of tourism;
transparency, accountability and corporate
social responsibility.

(c) Promoting policies that allow local the United Nations Human Settlements
communities to gain optimum benefits from Programme, the Food and Agriculture
tourism while allowing them to determine Organization of the United Nations, the
the extent and nature of their participation; United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, regional development
(d) Designing and implementing participatory
banks and regional and national
measures to enhance employment
agricultural, cultural, environmental and
opportunities, in particular of women,
tourism authorities where they exist;
youth and persons with disabilities,
including through partnerships and (g) Establishing and maintaining, where
capacity development, while conserving necessary, the governance and
their natural, built and cultural heritage, management structures for sustainable
especially ecosystems and biodiversity; tourism and human settlements that bring
together responsibilities and expertise in
(e) Leveraging the expertise of, inter alia,
the areas of tourism, environment, health,
the Global Sustainable Tourism Council,
disaster risk reduction, culture, land and
the Global Observatories on Sustainable
housing, transportation, security and
Tourism of the World Tourism Organization,
immigration, planning and development,
the Global Partnership for Sustainable
and enabling a meaningful partnership
Tourism and other United Nations bodies,
approach among the public and private
as well as the 10-year framework of
sectors and local communities.
programmes on sustainable consumption
and production patterns, to provide
platforms for the exchange of best
Climate Change
practices and direct and focused support to 31. We reaffirm that small island developing
their national efforts; States remain a special case for sustainable
development in view of their unique and
(f) Establishing, upon request, an island, food
particular vulnerabilities, and we acknowledge
and sustainable tourism support initiative
that climate change and sea-level rise
based on community participation, which
continue to pose a significant risk to small
takes into consideration ethical values,
island developing States and their efforts to
livelihoods and human settlements, the
achieve sustainable development and, for some,
landscape, the sea, local culture and
represent the gravest threat to their survival and
local products, in collaboration with the
viability.
World Tourism Organization, the United
Nations Development Programme, the 32. We also reaffirm that climate change is one
United Nations Environment Programme, of the greatest challenges of our time, and

we express profound alarm that emissions that the global nature of climate change calls
of greenhouse gases continue to rise globally. for the widest possible cooperation by all
We are deeply concerned that all countries, countries and their participation in an effective
particularly developing countries, are vulnerable and appropriate international response, with
to the adverse impacts of climate change a view to accelerating the reduction of global
and are already experiencing an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. We recall that the
such impacts, including persistent drought Convention provides that parties should protect
and extreme weather events, sea-level rise, the climate system for the benefit of present and
coastal erosion and ocean acidification, future generations of humankind on the basis
further threatening food security and efforts of equity and in accordance with their common
to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable but differentiated responsibilities and respective
development. In this regard, we emphasize that capabilities.
adaptation to climate change represents an
36. We note with grave concern the significant
immediate and urgent global priority.
gap between the aggregate effect of mitigation
33. We acknowledge the leadership role of small pledges by parties in terms of global annual
island developing States in advocating for emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020 and
ambitious global efforts to address climate aggregate emission pathways consistent with
change, raising awareness of the need for having a likely chance of holding the increase
urgent and ambitious action to address climate in global average temperature below 2 degrees
change at the global level and making efforts Celsius, or 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial
to adapt to the intensifying impacts of climate levels.
change and to further develop and implement
37. We reaffirm the decision of the Conference of
plans, policies, strategies and legislative
the Parties to the United Nations Framework
frameworks with support where necessary.
Convention on Climate Change on long-term
34. We stress that the Conference of the Parties climate finance19, noting the importance of
to the United Nations Framework Convention climate finance in addressing climate change.
on Climate Change is the primary international
38. We look forward to the full operationalization
intergovernmental forum for negotiating the
and initial capitalization of the Green Climate
global response to climate change in order to
Fund, including the expeditious implementation
protect the global climate.
of its initial resource mobilization process, taking
35. We recall the objectives, principles and into account that the Fund will play a key role
provisions of the United Nations Framework in channelling, new, additional, adequate and
Convention on Climate Change18, and underscore predictable financial resources to developing
18 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822. 19 See FCCC/CP/2013/10/Add.1, decision 3/CP.19.

countries and will catalyse climate finance, mechanism for loss and damage associated
both public and private, at the international and with climate change impacts20 through
national levels. comprehensive, inclusive and strategic
approaches to address loss and damage
39. We urge developed country parties to increase
associated with the impacts of climate change
technology, finance and capacity-building
in developing countries, including small
support to enable increased mitigation ambition
island developing States, that are particularly
and adaptation actions on the part of developing
vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate
country parties.
change.
40. We reaffirm the importance of engaging a broad
44. We call for support for the efforts of small island
range of stakeholders at the global, regional,
developing States:
subregional, national and local levels, including
national, subnational and local governments (a) To build resilience to the impacts of
and the scientific community, private businesses climate change and to improve their
and civil society, and also including youth and adaptive capacity through the design
persons with disabilities, and also reaffirm that and implementation of climate change
gender equality and the effective participation of adaptation measures appropriate to their
women and indigenous peoples are important for respective vulnerabilities and economic,
effective action on all aspects of climate change. environmental and social situations;
41. We reaffirm the decision of the Conference of (b) To improve the baseline monitoring of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework island systems and the downscaling of
Convention on Climate Change to adopt a climate model projections to enable better
protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed projections of the future impacts on small
outcome with legal force under the Convention islands;
applicable to all parties at its twenty-first
(c) To raise awareness and communicate
session, to be held in Paris in December 2015,
climate change risks, including through
and for it to enter into effect and be implemented
public dialogue with local communities,
as from 2020.
to increase human and environmental
42. We note the convening by the Secretary- resilience to the longer-term impacts of
General of the Climate Summit in New York on climate change;
23 September 2014, aimed at mobilizing actions
(d) To address remaining gaps in capacity for
and ambition in relation to climate change.
gaining access to and managing climate
43. We will work together to implement and finance.
operationalize the Warsaw international
20 Ibid., decision 2/CP.19.

45. We recognize that the phasing out of ozone- modern energy services, renewable energy,
depleting substances is resulting in a rapid energy-efficient technologies and low carbon
increase in the use and the release into the development, in the context of sustainable
environment of hydrofluorocarbons with a development, including, on a voluntary
high potential for global warming. We support basis, the commitments by many small island
the gradual phasing down of the consumption developing States to undertake the actions
and production of hydrofluorocarbons. contained in annex I to the Declaration. The
“Sustainable energy for all” initiative of the
46. We recognize the importance of scaling
Secretary-General, which focuses on access to
up support for activities to reduce emissions
energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy,
from deforestation and forest degradation
complemented by international commitments,
in the context of the REDD-plus mechanism
provides a useful framework.
in small island developing States, including the
implementation of the Warsaw Framework for 49. We urge the international community, including
REDD-plus21. regional and international development banks,
bilateral donors, the United Nations system,
Sustainable Energy the International Renewable Energy Agency
and other relevant stakeholders to continue
47. We recognize that dependence on imported
to provide adequate support, including in the
fossil fuels has been a major source of economic
areas of capacity-building and technology
vulnerability and a key challenge for small
transfer, on mutually agreed terms, for the
island developing States for many decades
development and implementation of national,
and that sustainable energy, including enhanced
regional and interregional energy policies,
accessibility to modern energy services,
plans and strategies to address the special
energy efficiency and use of economically
vulnerabilities of small island developing
viable and environmentally sound technology,
States. We welcome the Global Renewable
plays a critical role in enabling the sustainable
Energy Islands Network of the International
development of small island developing States.
Renewable Energy Agency, which helps small
48. We highlight the efforts of small island island developing States by pooling knowledge
developing States concerning sustainable and sharing best practices.
energy, including through the Barbados
50. We strongly support actions:
Declaration on Achieving Sustainable Energy
for All in Small Island Developing States, aimed (a) To develop a strategy and targeted
at promoting transformational and innovative measures to promote energy efficiency
activities in such areas as access to affordable and foster sustainable energy systems
based on all energy sources, in particular
21 FCCC/CP/2013/10.

renewable energy sources, in small circumstances, the diversification of
island developing States, such as wind, energy systems and the provision of funds
sustainable biomass, solar, hydroelectric, and technology on mutually agreed terms;
biofuel and geothermal energy;
(f) To enhance international cooperation and
(b) To facilitate access to existing financing cooperation among small island developing
mechanisms to increase capital flows States for research and technological
for the implementation of sustainable development and for the implementation
energy projects in small island developing of appropriate renewable energy and
States on renewable energy and energy energy-efficient and environmentally
efficiency; sound technologies for small island
developing States, including cleaner
(c) To support investment in initiatives by
fossil fuel technology and smart grid
and for small island developing States,
technology, through the provision of, inter
in particular the “SIDS DOCK” indicative
alia, financing from a variety of sources,
project pipeline of renewable energy
the exchange of best practices and access
and energy efficiency and conservation
to efficient technologies on mutually
projects, as well as in the areas of
agreed terms;
capacity-building and human resources
development and public education and (g) To access existing mechanisms, or,
awareness; in regions with no existing mechanism,
to encourage the establishment of user-
(d) To promote international collaboration
friendly, accurate and comprehensive
to ensure the access of small island
regional data repositories as online
developing States to energy by, inter
databases on energy, and to conduct
alia, strengthening their integration with
technical studies and gather information
regional and international energy markets
on grid stability and management, including
and increasing the use of locally available
maximizing the integration of renewable
sources of energy in the energy mix, joint
energy and innovative storage
infrastructure development projects and
mechanisms;
investment in production and storage
capacities, in accordance with national (h) To work on an integrated approach to
legislation; establishing and strengthening innovative
energy road maps in small island
(e) To fulfil their bold and ambitious renewable
developing States, with detailed resource
energy and energy efficiency targets in
planning, which takes into account
small island developing States for the
social, environmental and economic
next decade, taking into account national

considerations, as well as access to energy (c) To strengthen and support contingency
for the poor and people in remote areas. planning and provisions for disaster
preparedness and response, emergency
Disaster Risk Reduction relief and population evacuation, in
particular for people in vulnerable
51. We recognize that small island developing States
situations, women and girls, displaced
continue to grapple with the effects of disasters,
persons, children, older persons and
some of which have increased in intensity
people with disabilities;
and some of which have been exacerbated by
climate change, which impede their progress (d) To implement the Hyogo Framework for
towards sustainable development. We also Action and work for an ambitious renewed
recognize that disasters can disproportionately international framework for post-2015
affect small island developing States and that disaster risk reduction that builds on
there is a critical need to build resilience, previous achievements, prioritizes
strengthen monitoring and prevention, reduce prevention and mitigation and incorporates
vulnerability, raise awareness and increase implementation frameworks to address
preparedness to respond to and recover from implementation gaps if and when they exist;
disasters.
(e) To mainstream policies and programmes
52. In consideration of the special case of small related to disaster risk reduction, climate
island developing States and their unique and change adaptation and development, as
particular vulnerabilities, we are committed appropriate;
to supporting their efforts:
(f) To harmonize national and regional
(a) To gain access to technical assistance reporting systems, where applicable,
and financing for early warning to increase synergies and coherence;
systems, disaster risk reduction and
(g) To establish and strengthen risk insurance
post-disaster response and recovery,
facilities at the national and regional levels
risk assessment and data, land use and
and place disaster risk management and
planning, observation equipment, disaster
building resilience at the centre of policies
preparedness and recovery education
and strategies, where applicable;
programmes, including under the Global
Framework for Climate Services, and (h) To increase participation in international
disaster risk management; and regional disaster risk reduction
initiatives.
(b) To promote cooperation and investment
in disaster risk management in the public
and private sectors;

Oceans and Seas conservation and sustainable use of oceans and
their resources.
53. We acknowledge that oceans and seas, along
with coastal areas, form an essential component 56. Recognizing the concern that potential
of the Earth’s ecosystem and are intrinsically oil leaks from sunken State vessels have
linked to sustainable development, including environmental implications for the marine and
that of small island developing States. Healthy, coastal ecosystems of small island developing
productive and resilient oceans and coasts are States, and taking into account the sensitivities
critical for, inter alia, poverty eradication, access surrounding vessels that are marine graves,
to sufficient, safe and nutritious food, livelihoods, we note that small island developing States
economic development and essential ecosystem and relevant vessel owners should continue
services, including carbon sequestration, and to address the issue bilaterally on a case-by-
represent an important element of identity and case basis.
culture for the people of small island developing 57. We recognize that an integrated ecosystem
States. Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, approach to ocean-related activities is needed
coastal tourism, the possible use of seabed to optimize opportunities. It should be based
resources and potential sources of renewable on the best available science, give due regard
energy are among the main building blocks of to conservation efforts and precautionary
a sustainable ocean-based economy in small approaches and ensure coherence and balance
island developing States. among the three dimensions of sustainable
54. Recognizing that small island developing development.
States have large maritime areas and have 58. With this in mind, we strongly support action:
shown notable leadership in the conservation
and sustainable use of those areas and their (a) To promote and support national,
resources, we support their efforts to develop subregional and regional efforts to
and implement strategies for the conservation assess, conserve, protect, manage and
and sustainable use of those areas and sustainably use the oceans, seas and
resources. We also support their efforts to their resources by supporting research
conserve their valuable underwater cultural and the implementation of strategies on
heritage. coastal zone management and ecosystem-
based management, including for fisheries
55. We reaffirm that international law, as reflected management, and enhancing national
in the United Nations Convention on the Law of legal and institutional frameworks for the
the Sea22, provides the legal framework for the exploration and sustainable use of living
and non-living resources;
22 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1833, No. 31363.

(b) To engage in national and regional efforts including through the establishment of
to sustainably develop the ocean resources dedicated regional oceanographic centres
of small island developing States and and the provision of technical assistance,
generate increasing returns for their for the delimitation of their maritime areas
peoples; and the preparation of submissions to the
Commission on the Limits of the Continental
(c) To implement fully and effectively the
Shelf;
regional seas programmes in which small
island developing States participate; (g) To enhance and implement the monitoring,
control and surveillance of fishing
(d) To address marine pollution by developing
vessels so as to effectively prevent, deter
effective partnerships, including through
and eliminate illegal, unreported and
the development and implementation of
unregulated fishing, including through
relevant arrangements, such as the United
institutional capacity-building at the
Nations Environment Programme Global
appropriate levels;
Programme of Action for the Protection
of the Marine Environment from Land- (h) To support the sustainable development
based Activities, and, as appropriate, of small-scale fisheries, improved
instruments on marine debris and on mechanisms for resource assessment and
nutrient, wastewater and other marine management and enhanced facilities for
pollution, and through the sharing and fisheries workers, as well as initiatives
implementation of best practices; that add value to outputs from small-
scale fisheries, and to enhance access
(e) To undertake urgent action to protect
to markets for the products of sustainable
coral reefs and other vulnerable marine
small-scale fisheries of small island
ecosystems through the development and
developing States;
implementation of comprehensive and
integrated approaches for the management (i) To strengthen disciplines on subsidies in
and the enhancement of their resilience the fisheries sector, including through the
to withstand pressures, including from prohibition of certain forms of subsidies
ocean acidification and invasive species, that contribute to over-capacity and
and by drawing on measures such as those overfishing, in accordance with the Doha
identified in the Framework for Action 2013 Ministerial Declaration adopted by the
of the International Coral Reef Initiative; World Trade Organization in 2001 and the
Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration adopted
(f) To undertake marine scientific research
by the World Trade Organization in 2005;
and develop the associated technological
capacity of small island developing States,

(j) For States that have not done so, to migratory fish stocks covered by those
consider becoming parties to the 2001 organizations and arrangements;
United Nations Educational, Scientific
(n) To enhance local, national, regional and
and Cultural Organization Convention on
global cooperation to address the causes
the Protection of the Underwater Cultural
of ocean acidification and to further
Heritage23;
study and minimize its impacts, including
(k) To promote the conservation, sustainable through information-sharing, regional
use and management of straddling and workshops, the integration of scientists
highly migratory fish stocks, including from small island developing States into
through measures that benefit small island international research teams, steps to
developing States that are adopted by make marine ecosystems more resilient to
relevant regional fisheries management the impacts of ocean acidification and the
organizations and arrangements; possible development of a strategy for all
small island developing States on ocean
(l) To enhance the capacity of small island
acidification;
developing States to sustainably use
their fisheries resources and develop (o) To conserve by 2020 at least 10 per cent
fisheries-related industries, enabling them of coastal and marine areas in small
to maximize benefits from their fisheries island developing States, especially areas
resources and ensure that the burden of particular importance for biodiversity
of conservation and management of and for ecosystem services, through
ocean resources is not disproportionately effectively and equitably managed,
transferred to small island developing ecologically representative and well-
States; connected systems of protected areas and
other effective area-based conservation
(m) To urge the cooperation of theinternational
measures in order to reduce the rate of
community in implementing shared
biodiversity loss in the marine environment;
responsibilities under regional fisheries
management organizations and (p) To address concerns about the long-
arrangements to enable small island term effects of munitions dumped at sea,
developing States to benefit from and including their potential impact on human
sustainably manage straddling and highly health and safety and on the marine
environment and resources.
23 See United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization, Records of the General Conference, Thirty-
first Session, Paris, 15 October-3 November 2001, vol. 1 and
corrigendum, Resolutions, chap. V, resolution 24.

Food Security and Nutrition 62. We note the convening of the second
International Conference on Nutrition in Rome
59. We recognize that small island developing
in November 2014, organized by the Food and
States, primarily net food-importing countries,
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
are exceptionally vulnerable to the fluctuating
and the World Health Organization, which
availability and excessive price volatility of food
has important implications for small island
imports. It is therefore important to support
developing States, and look forward to its
the right of everyone to have access to safe,
outcome.
sufficient and nutritious food, the eradication
of hunger and the provision of livelihoods 63. In this regard, we are committed to working
while conserving, protecting and ensuring the together to support the efforts of small island
sustainable use of land, soil, forests, water, developing States:
plants and animals, biodiversity and ecosystems. (a) To promote the further use of sustainable
We stress the crucial role of healthy marine practices relating to agriculture,
ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, sustainable crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and
fisheries and sustainable aquaculture for aquaculture to improve food and nutrition
enhancing food security and access to security while ensuring the sustainable
adequate, safe and nutritious food and in management of the required water
providing for the livelihoods of the people resources;
of the small island developing States.
(b) To promote open and efficient international
60. We also recognize the danger caused by an and domestic markets to support economic
unhealthy diet and the need to promote healthy development and optimize food security
food production and consumption. and nutrition;
61. We recognize the call, in the outcome of the (c) To enhance international cooperation to
interregional preparatory meeting for the third maintain access to global food markets,
International Conference on Small Island particularly during periods of higher
Developing States, adopted in Bridgetown on volatility in commodity markets;
28 August 201324, to facilitate a meeting on food
and nutrition security in small island developing (d) To increase rural income and jobs, with a
States in order to develop an action programme focus on the empowerment of smallholders
to address food and nutrition challenges facing and small-scale food producers, especially
those States, and we invite the Food and women;
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (e) To end malnutrition in all its forms,
to facilitate this biennial forum. including by securing year-round access
to sufficient, safe, affordable, diverse and
24 A/CONF.223/PC/2, annex. nutritious food;

(f) To enhance the resilience of agriculture waste management systems, including
and fisheries to the adverse impacts of the exploration of desalination technology
climate change, ocean acidification and where economically and environmentally
natural disasters; feasible;
(g) To maintain natural ecological processes (c) To facilitate the expansion of wastewater
that support sustainable food production treatment, recycling and reuse in the
systems through international technical context of the sustainable and efficient use
cooperation. of water resources;
(d) To improve water-use efficiency and
Water and Sanitation work towards eliminating over-extraction,
64. We recognize that small island developing especially of groundwater, and to mitigate
States face numerous challenges with respect the effects of saltwater intrusion.
to freshwater resources, including pollution, the
overexploitation of surface, ground and coastal Sustainable Transportation
waters, saline intrusion, drought and water
66. We recognize that transportation and mobility
scarcity, soil erosion, water and wastewater
are central to the sustainable development of
treatment and the lack of access to sanitation
small island developing States. Sustainable
and hygiene. Furthermore, changes in rainfall
transportation can enhance economic growth,
patterns related to climate change have
promote trade opportunities and improve
regionally varying and potentially significant
accessibility. Sustainable, reliable and safe
impacts on water supply.
transportation achieves better integration of the
65. In this regard, we are committed to supporting economy while respecting the environment. We
the efforts of small island developing States: also recognize the importance of the efficient
movement of people and goods in fostering
(a) To develop institutional and human
full engagement in local, regional and global
capacities for the effective, inclusive
markets and the potential for sustainable
and sustainable implementation of the
transportation to improve social equity, health,
integrated management of water resources
the resilience of cities, urban-rural linkages and
and related ecosystems, including
the productivity of rural areas of small island
supporting women’s engagement in water
developing States.
management systems;
67. In this regard, we are committed to continuing
(b) To provide and operate appropriate
and enhancing support for the efforts of small
facilities and infrastructure for safe
island developing States:
drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and

(a) To gain access to environmentally sound, 69. In this regard, we call for support for the
safe, affordable and well-maintained efforts of small island developing States to
transportation; develop and implement programmes under
the 10-year framework of programmes on
(b) To advance the safety of land, sea and air
sustainable consumption and production
transportation;
patterns to advance sustainable consumption
(c) To develop viable national, regional and and production, with an emphasis on micro,
international transportation arrangements, small and medium-sized enterprises, sustainable
including improved air, land and sea tourism, waste management, food and nutrition,
transport policies that take a life-cycle lifestyles, education for sustainable development
approach to the development and and linkages in the supply chain to promote rural
management of transport infrastructure; development.
(d) To increase energy efficiency in the
transport sector. Management of Chemicals and Waste,
Including Hazardous Waste
Sustainable Consumption and Production 70. We recognize that the sound management
68. As promoting sustainable patterns of of chemicals throughout their life cycle
consumption and production is an overarching and of waste is crucial for the protection of
objective of and essential requirement for human health and the environment. For small
sustainable development, we recall the 10-year island developing States, as for all countries,
framework of programmes on sustainable environmentally sound waste management is
consumption and production patterns and its also crucial for human health and environmental
vision, and we recognize that all countries protection, and the small land area and
should promote sustainable consumption and remoteness of many small island developing
production patterns, with developed countries States pose particular challenges for the sound
taking the lead and all countries benefiting from disposal of waste.
the process. This should be done in accordance 71. In this regard, we acknowledge the following
with national objectives, needs and priorities, actions to improve the management of
taking fully into account the specific needs and chemicals and waste:
conditions of developing countries with the aim
of minimizing the possible adverse impacts on (a) Enhancing technical cooperation
their development, and in a manner that protects programmes, including those under
the poor and affected communities. the Basel Convention on the Control of
Transboundary Movements of Hazardous

Wastes and Their Disposal25, the Strategic control programmes for chemical and other
Approach to International Chemicals toxic and environmental events;
Management of the United Nations
(d) Implementing reduction, reuse, recycling,
Environment Programme, the secretariat
recovery and return approaches in
of the Pacific Regional Environment
accordance with national capacities and
Programme, the London Convention and
priorities, inter alia, through capacity-
Protocol and the International Convention
building and environmentally appropriate
for the Prevention of Pollution from
technologies.
Ships, to strengthen national, regional
and international mechanisms for the
Health and Non-Communicable Diseases
management of waste, including chemical
and hazardous waste, ship- and aircraft- 72. We recognize that health is a precondition
generated waste and marine plastic for and an outcome and indicator of all three
litter, and further strengthening and dimensions of sustainable development.
expanding geographic coverage of oil spill Sustainable development can be achieved
contingency plans; only in the absence of a high prevalence
of debilitating communicable and non-
(b) For States that have not done so,
communicable diseases, including emerging
considering becoming parties to and
and re-emerging diseases, and when
ensuring an enabling environment for the
populations can reach a state of physical, mental
implementation, including with technical
and social well-being.
and other appropriate support, of the
multilateral environmental agreements 73. We recognize that the burden and threat of
on chemicals and waste and implementing, communicable and non communicable diseases
as appropriate, the Globally Harmonized remain serious global concerns and constitute
System of the Classification and Labelling one of the major challenges for small island
of Chemicals and the Strategic Approach developing States in the twenty-first century.
to International Chemicals Management; While prevention, treatment, care and education
are critical, we call upon the international
(c) Facilitating improved access to existing
community to support the national actions of
capacity-building programmes, such
small island developing States in addressing
as those under the International
communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Health Regulations of the World Health
Organization, which call for strengthened 74. We take note of the outcome document of the
management of specific risks, including high-level meeting of the General Assembly on
25 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1673, No. 28911. 26 Resolution 68/300 of 10 July 2014.

the comprehensive review and assessment of (d) To implement well-planned and value-
the progress achieved in the prevention and added interventions that strengthen health
control of non-communicable diseases26. promotion, promote primary health care
and develop accountability mechanisms
75. In this regard, we reaffirm our commitment to
for monitoring non-communicable
support the efforts of small island developing
diseases;
States:
(e) To enable cooperation among small
(a) To develop and implement comprehensive,
island developing States on diseases by
whole-government multisectoral policies
using existing international and regional
and strategies for the prevention and
forums to convene joint biennial meetings
management of diseases, including through
of ministers of health and other relevant
the strengthening of health systems, the
sectors to respond in particular to non-
promotion of effective universal health
communicable diseases;
coverage implementation, the distribution
of medical and drug supplies, education (f) To achieve universal access to HIV
and public awareness and incentivizing prevention, treatment, care and support
people to lead healthier lives through a and to eliminate mother-to-child
healthy diet, good nutrition, sports and transmission of HIV, as well as to renew
education; and strengthen the fight against malaria,
tuberculosis and neglected emerging and
(b) To develop specific national programmes
re-emerging tropical diseases, including
and policies geared towards the
chikungunya and dengue;
strengthening of health systems for the
achievement of universal coverage of (g) To reduce maternal, newborn and child
health services and the distribution of mortality and improve the health of
medical and drug supplies, with the mothers, infants and children.
assistance of the United Nations Children’s
Fund, the World Health Organization, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
the United Nations Population Fund,
76. We recognize that gender equality and women’s
key development partners and other
empowerment and the full realization of human
stakeholders, at the invitation of small
rights for women and girls have a transformative
island developing States;
and multiplier effect on sustainable development
(c) To take urgent steps to establish, for the and is a driver of economic growth in small
period from 2015 to 2025, 10-year targets island developing States. Women can be
and strategies to reverse the spread and powerful agents of change.
severity of non-communicable diseases;

77. In this regard, we support the efforts of small Population and Development27, the Beijing
island developing States: Platform for Action28 and the outcome
documents of their review conferences;
(a) To eliminate all forms of discrimination
against women and girls; (h) To tackle the structural and socioeconomic
inequalities and multiple intersecting forms
(b) To integrate a gender perspective in priority
of discrimination that affect women and
areas for sustainable development;
girls, including those with disabilities, that
(c) To strengthen women’s economic hinder progress and development;
empowerment and ensure equal access
(i) To give women equal rights with men
to full and productive employment and
to economic resources, including access
decent work;
to, ownership of and control over land and
(d) To end all forms of violence against women other forms of property, credit, inheritance,
and girls; natural resources and appropriate new
(e) To continue taking measures to ensure technologies.
women’s full, equal and effective
participation in all fields and leadership Social Development
at all levels of decision-making in the 78. We recognize that social development, as
public and private sectors through such one of the three dimensions of sustainable
policies and actions as temporary special development, is crucial to ensuring development
measures, as appropriate, and by setting progress by small island developing States
and working to achieve concrete goals, both now and in the future. We therefore
targets and benchmarks; support efforts to enhance social protection
(f) To guarantee equal access to good-quality and inclusion, to improve well-being and to
education and health care; guarantee opportunities for the most vulnerable
and disadvantaged.
(g) To ensure in small island developing States
the promotion and protection of the human
rights of all women and their sexual and
reproductive health and reproductive rights
in accordance with the Programme of
27 Report of the International Conference on Population and
Action of the International Conference on Development, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994 (United Nations
publication, Sales No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution 1,
annex.
28 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing,
4-15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No.
E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.

79. We support small island developing States Organization and the United Nations
in their commitment to an approach to Educational, Scientific and Cultural
development that is focused on poverty Organization;
eradication, which should ensure that people,
(c) To develop and strengthen national
particularly those living in poverty, have equal
and regional cultural activities and
access to education, health, food, water and
infrastructures, including through the
sanitation and other public and social services
network of World Heritage Sites, which
and access to productive resources, including
reinforce local capacities, promote
credit, land, training, knowledge, information
awareness in small island developing
and know-how. That approach enables citizens
States, enhance tangible and intangible
and local communities to participate in decision-
cultural heritage, including local and
making on social development policies and
indigenous knowledge, and involve local
programmes.
people for the benefit of present and future
Culture and sport generations;
80. We recognize that small island developing States (d) To develop cultural and creative industries,
possess a wealth of culture, which is a driver including tourism, that capitalize on their
and an enabler for sustainable development. In rich heritage of and have a role to play
particular, indigenous and traditional knowledge in sustainable and inclusive growth;
and cultural expression, which underscores
(e) To develop domestic mechanisms to
the deep connections among people, culture,
conserve, promote, protect and preserve
knowledge and the natural environment, can
their natural, tangible and intangible
meaningfully advance sustainable development
cultural heritage practices and traditional
and social cohesion.
knowledge.
81. In this regard, we strongly support the efforts
82. Recognizing the strong capacity of small island
of small island developing States:
developing States in sport, we support the use
(a) To promote cultural diversity, intercultural of sport as a vehicle to foster development,
dialogue and international cooperation social inclusion and peace, strengthen
in the cultural field in line with applicable education, promote health and build life skills,
international conventions, in particular particularly among youth.
those of the United Nations Educational,
Promoting peaceful societies and safe communities
Scientific and Cultural Organization;
83. We recognize the importance of supporting
(b) To leverage and build on the joint work
small island developing States in their ongoing
of the World Intellectual Property
efforts to ensure peaceful societies and safe

communities, including through building are disproportionately affected by crime,
responsive and accountable institutions and violence and conflict, and to ensure they are
ensuring access to justice and respect for all centrally involved in all relevant processes.
human rights, taking into account their national
Education
priorities and legislations.
87. We reaffirm that full and equal access to
84. We recognize that the sustainable development
quality education at all levels is an essential
of small island developing States can be
condition for achieving sustainable development
negatively affected by crime and violence,
and the importance of local, national, regional
including conflict, gang and youth violence,
and international efforts in this regard.
piracy, trafficking in persons, cybercrime, drug
trafficking and transnational organized crime. 88. We are committed, in this regard, to strongly
In particular, the lack of sustainable livelihoods supporting the efforts of small island developing
and opportunities for further education and the States:
breaking down of community support structures (a) To provide high-quality education and
can lead to increasing numbers of young men training for youth and girls with a focus
and women becoming involved in violence and on the most vulnerable, in particular
crime. persons with disabilities, including in
85. We support the efforts of small island creative, cultural and environment-
developing States to combat trafficking related fields, so that all people have the
in persons, cybercrime, drug trafficking, necessary skills and can take advantage
transnational organized crime and international of employment opportunities to lead
piracy by promoting the accession, ratification productive lives;
and implementation of applicable conventions, (b) To ensure that education contributes to
enacting and using legislation that prohibits further building peace and promoting social
trafficking, promoting strong institutions and inclusion;
improving protection mechanisms to ensure
adequate care for victims of sex trafficking (c) To increase their investment in education,
and forced labour in accordance with relevant training and skills development for
national and international agreements and all, including vocational training, and
treaties. to improve their access to formal and
non-formal education, including to gain
86. We support the development of action plans entrepreneurial skills, through both formal
in small island developing States to eliminate and non-formal means, such as the use
violence against women and girls, who are of distance teaching and the development
often targets of gender-based violence and of training approaches appropriate for
small island developing States.

Biodiversity the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic
Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing
89. We agree to promote international cooperation
of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to
and partnerships, as appropriate, and
the Convention on Biological Diversity, while
information exchange, and in this context
acknowledging that having access to and
we welcome the United Nations Decade on
sharing the benefits of genetic resources
Biodiversity, 2011-2020, for the purpose of
contribute to the conservation and sustainable
encouraging the active involvement of all
use of biological diversity, poverty eradication
stakeholders in the conservation and sustainable
and sustainable development.
use of biodiversity, as well as their access to and
the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising Desertification, land degradation and drought
from the utilization of genetic resources, with the 92. We recognize that addressing desertification,
vision of living in harmony with nature. land degradation and drought challenges
90. We recognize that, overall, small island will be critical for the achievement by small
developing States have extraordinary marine island developing States of food security and
and terrestrial biodiversity that in many cases nutrition, their adaptation to climate change,
is fundamental to their livelihoods and identity. the protection of their biodiversity and the
Noting that this valuable biodiversity and the development of resilience to natural disasters.
ecosystem services it provides are at grave risk, We also strongly support the efforts of small
we strongly support the efforts of small island island developing States in designing and
developing States: implementing preparedness and resilience
policies relating to desertification, land
(a) To conserve biological diversity, the
degradation and drought as a matter of priority
sustainable use of its components and the
and in catalysing financial resources from a
fair and equitable sharing of the benefits
range of public and private sources, as well as in
arising out of the utilization of genetic
promoting the sustainability of their limited soil
resources;
resources.
(b) To export organic, natural, sustainably
93. We acknowledge the decision of the Conference
produced and locally grown products;
of the Parties to the United Nations Convention
(c) To access financial and technical to Combat Desertification entitled “Follow-up to
resources for the conservation and the outcomes of the United Nations Conference
sustainable management of biodiversity. on Sustainable Development (Rio+20)”30, in
which the Conference of the Parties established
91. We invite parties to the Convention on Biological
an intergovernmental working group to, inter
Diversity29 to consider ratifying and implementing
29 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1760, No. 30619. 30 ICCD/COP(11)/23/Add.1, decision 8/COP.11.

alia, establish a science-based definition of land Invasive Alien Species
degradation neutrality in arid, semi-arid and dry
95. Noting that invasive alien species pose a threat
sub-humid areas.
to sustainable development and undermine
Forests the efforts of small island developing States to
94. Recognizing that forests are vital to livelihoods protect biodiversity and livelihoods, preserve
and ecosystems, we strongly support the efforts and maintain ocean resources and ecosystem
of small island developing States: resiliency, enhance food security and adapt
to climate change, we call for support for the
(a) To implement the Non-Legally Binding efforts of small island developing States:
Instrument on All Types of Forests;
(a) To enhance multisectoral collaboration
(b) To slow, halt and reverse deforestation and at the national, regional and international
forest degradation, including by promoting levels, including through expanded support
trade in legally and sustainably harvested to existing structures, to effectively address
forest products; invasive alien species;
(c) To achieve appropriate and effective (b) To improve efforts to eradicate and control
reforestation, restoration and afforestation; invasive alien species, including through
(d) To address obstacles and pursue the provision of support for research on
opportunities to mobilize financing from and the development of new technologies
all sources to support national sustainable by expanding collaboration and supporting
forest management policies and improve existing regional and international
the state of biological diversity by structures;
conserving and safeguarding ecosystems, (c) To develop and strengthen their capacity
species and genetic diversity; to address invasive alien species
(e) To participate in the review of the issues, including prevention, as well as
International Arrangement on Forests increasing public awareness in small island
under the United Nations Forum on Forests developing States about this issue.
in order to explore the full range of options
on the future of the Arrangement; Means of Implementation,
Including Partnerships
(f) To strengthen their legal, institutional and
human capacity for sustainable forest 96. While acknowledging the primary responsibility
management on the basis of a holistic and of small island developing States for their own
integrated approach to the sustainable use sustainable development, we recognize that
of forest resources. the persistent development challenges of the

small island developing States require enhanced wide range of other stakeholders. We further
global partnership for development, adequate recognize that partnerships are effective
provision and mobilization of all means of instruments for mobilizing human and financial
implementation and continued international resources, expertise, technology and knowledge
support to achieve internationally agreed goals. and can be powerful drivers for change,
innovation and welfare.
Partnerships
100. We reaffirm that small island developing
97. We call for an increase in all forms of
States are equal partners and that empowered,
partnership with and for small island developing
genuine and durable partnerships are based
States.
on mutual collaboration and ownership, trust,
98. We recognize that, given the vulnerabilities alignment, harmonization, respect, results
and the need to build the resilience of small orientation, accountability and transparency
island developing States, and keeping in mind and that political will is required to undertake
the theme of the third International Conference and implement long-term, predictable
on Small Island Developing States, there is commitments. Partnerships in all their forms,
an urgent need to strengthen international regardless of size and economic value, should
cooperation and ensure genuine and durable be utilized, enhanced and strengthened to
partnerships at the national, regional and ensure the meaningful engagement of various
international levels to address issues related actors (including local authorities, civil
to their sustainable development priorities society and non-governmental organizations,
and needs. foundations, the private sector and international
99. We also call for enhanced international financial institutions) and should work to achieve
cooperation, including North-South, South- the small island developing States’ vision of self-
South and triangular cooperation, and reliance and to cooperate in the implementation
especially cooperation among small island of national policies that help fulfil the
developing States. We reaffirm that North- commitments made in the Barbados Programme
South cooperation remains the core type of of Action, the Mauritius Strategy, the Samoa
international cooperation and that South-South Pathway, the Millennium Development Goals and
cooperation is not a substitute for, but rather other international declarations and instruments.
a complement to, North-South cooperation. We 101. In this regard, we request the Secretary-
recognize that genuine and durable partnerships General, in consultation with Member States, to
will play an important role in advancing present recommendations, including through the
sustainable development by harnessing the full use of existing intergovernmental mechanisms,
potential of engagement between governments for a partnership framework to monitor and
at all levels, businesses, civil society and a ensure the full implementation of pledges and

commitments through partnerships for small financial resources from a variety of public and
island developing States. The framework private sources, including international financial
should ensure that partnerships focus on the institutions, to support the implementation of the
priorities of small island developing States, Barbados Programme of Action, the Mauritius
identify new opportunities to advance their Strategy and the Samoa Pathway.
sustainable development of and ensure the full
104. We urge all countries to fulfil their commitments
implementation of the Barbados Programme
to small island developing States, including
of Action, the Mauritius Strategy and the
through the provision of financial resources,
Samoa Pathway. The recommendations should
to support the Barbados Programme of Action,
be presented to the General Assembly for
the Mauritius Strategy and the Samoa Pathway.
consideration and action at its sixty-ninth
In this regard, the fulfilment of all official
session.
development assistance commitments to
Financing developing countries, including the commitments
by many developed countries to achieve the
102. We recognize that financing from all sources,
target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income
domestic and international, public and private,
for official development assistance to developing
the development and transfer of reliable,
countries by 2015, as well as the target of 0.15 to
affordable, modern technology on mutually
0.20 per cent of gross national income for official
agreed terms, capacity-building assistance and
development assistance to least developed
enabling institutional and policy environments
countries, is crucial.
at all levels are critically important means of
advancing sustainable development in small 105. We welcome increasing efforts to improve the
island developing States. As those States have quality of official development assistance and
unique and particular vulnerabilities that require to increase its development impact. We also
dedicated attention, they will continue to make recognize the need to improve development
use of a wide range of available financing effectiveness, increase programme-based
mechanisms to implement the Barbados approaches, use country systems for
Programme of Action, the Mauritius Strategy activities managed by the public sector,
and the Samoa Pathway. reduce transaction costs and improve mutual
accountability and transparency, and in this
103. We recognize that international financing plays
regard we call upon all donors to untie aid to
an important role in increasing the capacity
the maximum extent. Furthermore, we will make
of small island developing States to mitigate
development more effective and predictable
and effectively respond to multiple crises by
by providing developing countries with regular
increasing the impact of existing funds and
and timely indicative information on planned
mobilizing, catalysing and directly providing
support over the medium term. We recognize

the importance of the efforts of developing (d) To reduce transfer costs related
countries to strengthen leadership regarding to remittances while pursuing the
their own development, national institutions, international targets and agreed outcomes
systems and capacity to ensure the best of important international initiatives set
results for effective development by engaging by the United Nations system concerning
with parliaments and citizens in shaping those remittances, given their importance for
policies and deepening engagement with civil the economic growth of small island
society organizations. We should also bear in developing States.
mind that there is no one-size-fits-all formula
Trade
that will guarantee development effectiveness.
The specific situation of each country must be 107. Given the unique and particular vulnerabilities
fully considered. of small island developing States, for example,
small size, limited negotiating capacity and
106. In this regard, we reaffirm our commitment to
remoteness from markets, we recognize that
efforts are needed to support their further
States:
integration regionally and between the regions
(a) To strengthen the use of domestic policies and in world markets. With this in mind, we
and financing, with due consideration for strongly support the efforts of small island
their respective levels of indebtedness and developing States:
national capacities;
(a) To encourage their successful engagement
(b) To gain access to international in trade and economic agreements,
arrangements and modalities for the taking into consideration existing special
financing of development for developing and differential treatment provisions,
countries, particularly small island as appropriate, and taking note of the
developing States, including through work conducted to date under the work
capacity-building and a review of programme on small economies of the
application procedures; World Trade Organization;
(c) To implement, with the provision of (b) To obtain technical assistance through
appropriate financial resources, in line trade-related assistance mechanisms
with existing international commitments and other programmes to strengthen
within the framework of the United Nations their capacity to effectively participate in
Framework Convention on Climate Change, the multilateral trading system, including
climate change adaptation and mitigation with respect to explaining trade rules and
projects; disciplines, negotiating and implementing
trade agreements and formulating

and administering coherent trade capacity-building programmes for small
policies, with a view to improving trade island developing States through United
competitiveness as well as development Nations country teams, in collaboration
and growth prospects; with national agencies, regional
commissions and intergovernmental
(c) To assess the implications and mitigate
organizations, to enhance national
the impact of non-tariff barriers to their
capacities and institutions, building on the
market access opportunities through, inter
lessons and successes of the Capacity 2015
alia, appropriate technical assistance
initiative;
and the implementation of the Trade
Facilitation Agreement of the World Trade (b) To strengthen their national institutions
Organization; to complement capacity-building;
(d) To develop and strengthen partnerships (c) To ensure the inclusion of capacity-
to enhance the participation of small island building and institution-strengthening,
developing States in the international as appropriate, in all cooperation
trade in goods and services, build their frameworks and partnerships and their
productive capacities and address their integration in the priorities and work
supply side constraints. programmes of all United Nations agencies
providing assistance to small island
Capacity-building
developing States in concert with other
108. We affirm that small island developing States development efforts, within their existing
require continued and enhanced investments mandates and resources;
in education and training programmes to develop
(d) To establish a dedicated intensive training
human and institutional capacities so as to build
programme for sustainable development
the resilience of their societies and economies,
for small island developing States in the
while encouraging the use and retention of
University Consortium of Small Island
knowledge in all its forms, including traditional
States;
knowledge, within those States and ensuring
accountability and transparency in all capacity- (e) To strengthen technical assistance
building efforts by all parties. programmes in partnership with the United
Nations Development Programme and
109. In this regard, we strongly support the efforts
the United Nations Office for South-South
of small island developing States:
Cooperation and regional institutions in
(a) To improve existing mechanisms and small island developing States;
resources to provide coordinated and
coherent United Nations system-wide

(f) To build national capacity, where supportive of women at all levels, including
appropriate, to utilize cost-benefit at the senior leadership levels.
analysis for informed policymaking in
Technology
the area of sustainable development,
including models specific to small island 110. We recognize that access by small island
developing States that evaluate the developing States to appropriate reliable,
technical, financial, social, economic affordable, modern and environmentally
and environmental aspects related to the sound technologies is critical to achieving
accession, ratification and implementation their sustainable development objectives
of multilateral environmental agreements and in fostering an environment that provides
and related instruments; incentives for innovation and entrepreneurship
and that science, technology and innovation
(g) To build national capacity to fulfil reporting
are essential enablers and drivers for
requirements deriving from commitments
sustainable development.
made by small island developing States
when signing international agreements 111. In this regard, we reaffirm our commitment to
and commitments; support the efforts of small island developing
States to gain access, on mutually agreed terms,
(h) To establish national and regional
to appropriate, reliable, affordable, modern and
information and communications
environmentally sound technologies and know-
technology platforms and information
how and to increase connectivity and the use
dissemination hubs in small island
of information and communications technology
developing States to facilitate information
through improved infrastructure, training and
exchange and cooperation, building on
national legislation, as well as public and private
existing information and communication
sector involvement.
platforms, as appropriate;
Data and statistics
(i) To enhance regional and interregional
cooperation among small island developing 112. We reaffirm the role that data and statistics
States on education and training so play in development planning in small island
as to identify and apply appropriate developing States and the need for the United
good practices as solutions to shared Nations system to collect statistics from
challenges; those States, irrespective of size and in the
least burdensome way, by, inter alia, allowing
(j) To ensure that women are fully and equally
electronic submission and, where appropriate,
able to benefit from capacity development
submissions through competent regional
and that institutions are inclusive and
agencies.

113. We recognize that improved data collection (a) To make greater use of the national
and statistical analysis are required to enable statistics and development indicators
small island developing States to effectively of small island developing States, where
plan, follow up on, evaluate the implementation available;
of and track successes in attaining the
(b) To support a sustainable development
internationally agreed development goals.
statistics and information programme
114. In this regard, we reaffirm our commitment to for small island developing States;
(c) To elaborate appropriate indices for
States:
assessing the progress made in the
(a) To strengthen the availability and sustainable development of small island
accessibility of their data and statistical developing States that better reflect their
systems, in accordance with national vulnerability and guide them to adopt more
priorities and circumstances, and informed policies and strategies for building
enhance their management of complex and sustaining long-term resilience and
data systems, including geospatial data to strengthen national disaggregated
platforms, by launching new partnership data and information systems as well
initiatives or scaling up existing initiatives; as analytical capabilities for decision-
making, the tracking of progress and the
(b) To utilize existing United Nations statistical
development of vulnerability-resilience
standards and resources in the areas
country profiles.
of social and environmental statistics;
Institutional support for small island developing
(c) To improve the collection, analysis,
States
dissemination and use of gender statistics
and data disaggregated by sex, age, 116. We call upon the United Nations system,
disability and other relevant variables in international and regional financial institutions
a systemic and coordinated manner at the and other multilateral development partners
national level, through appropriate financial to continue to support small island developing
and technical support and capacity- States in their efforts to implement national
building, while recognizing the need for sustainable development strategies and
international cooperation in this regard. programmes by incorporating the priorities
and activities of small island developing States
115. Furthermore, we call upon the United Nations,
into their relevant strategic and programmatic
the specialized agencies and relevant
frameworks, including through the United
intergovernmental organizations, in accordance
Nations Development Assistance Framework,
with their respective mandates:

at both the national and regional levels, in line developing States and to continue to monitor
with their mandates and overall priorities. regularly, together with their Governments, the
progress of small island developing States that
117. In this regard, we call upon the United Nations
have graduated from least developed country
system to provide support:
status.
(a) To ensure that United Nations entities take
119. We request that the Secretary-General conduct
fully into account the issues of small island
a comprehensive review of United Nations
developing States and include support for
system support for small island developing
those States and the development of their
States with a view to enhancing the overall
capacities in their programmes at the
effectiveness of such support and the respective
appropriate levels;
roles in supporting the sustainable development
(b) To continue to enhance, through national of small island developing States, and we invite
and regional initiatives, the voice and the General Assembly, at its sixty-ninth session,
participation of small island developing to determine the parameters of the review.
States in the decision-making and norm- We request the Secretary-General, building on
setting processes of international financial previous reports, to provide to the Assembly at
institutions; its seventieth session the findings of the review
(c) To improve interregional and intraregional and his recommendations thereon in his regular
cooperation and collaboration among small report entitled “Follow-up to and implementation
island developing States, including, where of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further
required, through institutional mechanisms Implementation of the Programme of Action
and capacity-building; for the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States”.
(d) To ensure that the issues of small island
developing States are adequately 120. We request the Secretary-General to ensure
addressed by the General Assembly that the Small Island Developing States Unit
and the Economic and Social Council, as of the Department of Economic and Social
well as the high-level political forum on Affairs of the Secretariat continues, pursuant
sustainable development convened under to its support and advisory services mandate,
their auspices. its analysis and reporting on the situation of
small island developing States, including in the
118. We call upon the Committee for Development implementation of the Barbados Programme
Policy of the Economic and Social Council to of Action, the Mauritius Strategy and the
continue to give due consideration to the unique Samoa Pathway, and that the Office of the
and particular vulnerabilities of small island High Representative for the Least Developed

Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and and the Samoa Pathway, including through
Small Island Developing States, pursuant to its the monitoring frameworks of the regional
advocacy mandate, ensure the mainstreaming commissions.
of the Samoa Pathway and issues related to
123. We recall that the General Assembly and
small island developing States in the work of
the Economic and Social Council, as well as
the United Nations system and enhance the
the high-level political forum on sustainable
coherence of the issues of those States in United
development convened under their auspices,
Nations processes, including at the national,
will devote adequate time to the discussion
regional and global levels, and continue to
of the sustainable development challenges
mobilize international support and resources
facing small island developing States in order
to support the implementation of the Samoa
to enhance engagement and implement
Pathway by small island developing States.
commitments.
Priorities of the Small Island Developing States 124. In this regard, we are committed to supporting
for the Post-2015 Development Agenda the efforts of small island developing States:
121. Recalling that the small island developing States (a) To request the Secretary-General
have identified their priorities for the post-2015 to report to the General Assembly and
development agenda in the outcome document to the Economic and Social Council on
of the interregional preparatory meeting for the the progress achieved in implementing
third International Conference on Small Island the priorities, commitments, partnerships
Developing States, as further refined in the and other activities of the small island
present outcome document, we recognize the developing States;
need to give due consideration to those priorities (b) To request the Department of Economic
in the elaboration of the post-2015 development and Social Affairs to continue to maintain
agenda. a partnerships platform focused on
the small island developing States and
Monitoring and Accountability to regularly convene the inter-agency
122. To ensure the realization of a transformational consultative group to report on the
strategy for the sustainable development of full implementation of the Barbados
small island developing States, we call upon Programme of Action, the Mauritius
the General Assembly, the Economic and Strategy and the Samoa Pathway, with
Social Council and their subsidiary bodies to adequate and timely analysis based on
monitor the full implementation of the Barbados relevant targets and indicators relevant
Programme of Action, the Mauritius Strategy to the small island developing States in
order to ensure accountability at all levels.

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SIDS ACCELERATED

1 Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment

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20 Ibid., decision 2/CP.19.

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22 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1833, No. 31363.

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23 See United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

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