Statement at Preparatory Committee of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States by Permanent Representative of Latvia, Ambassador H.E. Ms. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes
New York, 1 April 2024
Excellencies, colleagues,
Firstly, I would like to praise and express gratitude for the excellent work of the co-chairs trough the preparatory process and negotiations on the outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States.
I would also like thank the hosts of the conference Antigua and Barbuda for their tireless efforts to welcome us all in already less than two months and wish the best of luck in the last steps of preparations for an undoubtedly successful and historic conference.
SIDS4 conference is once in a decade opportunity to address the unique challenges SIDS are facing and affirm our joint action and support which is more urgent than ever.
For us coming into the preparatory process of the SIDS4, it was important that it should follow the leadership of the SIDS. We encourage the delegations to engage constructively in the remaining negotiations to reach a consensus on outcome that would reflect the needs of SIDS. We are certain that the Conference in Antigua and Barbuda and its outcome will reflect their main challenges and clear action-oriented solutions to address them. It is also an opportunity to reinforce the support to SIDS throughout the UN system.
Access to financing, ambitious and urgent climate action, strengthening resilience, expanding partnerships is the core of our joint action when addressing the obstacles SIDS are facing.
Dear colleagues,
We would also like to welcome the work that has already been started on the monitoring and evaluation framework, where the measured progress of implementation would be based on sufficient, accessible and reliable data. In this regard we also welcome the proposal to establish a SIDS Centre of Excellence in Antigua and Barbuda which will also include SIDS Data Hub and we are open to discuss how we can contribute to it with our national expertise and share our own experience in digitalization and promoting digital skills.
In conclusion, Dear Co-chairs, I once again as the member of the bureau, rapporteur of the preparatory committee and as a friend of SIDS would like to reiterate Latvia’s commitment to contribute to the rest of the preparatory process, an active participation at the conference and further partnership with SIDS and I wish us all a result-oriented session.
I thank you!