Event
ITC @ the SIDS4 Conference
Overview
At SIDS4, the international community will gather to review SIDS’ sustainable development progress and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions to supercharge their path to resilient prosperity. ITC will highlight the key role of small businesses in SIDS in addressing challenges resulting from climate change, COVID-19 and a crisis of debt. Success stories that empower youth, women, indigenous communities, and marginalized groups through agribusiness alliances, tourism and trade shall be showcased through Side events and thematic sessions.
Programme
SIDS Global Business Network Forum
Saturday 25 May 2024
14:00 - 14:30
Opening Session
14:30 - 16:00
Session 1 - Sustainability: Navigating Blue-Green Growth
16:30 - 18:00
Session 2 - Inclusivity: Empowering Local Communities for Transformed Economies
SIDS Global Business Network Forum
Sunday 26 May 2024
10:00 - 10:30
Presentation the SIDS Global Business Network
10:30 - 11:00
Break
11:00 - 12:30
Session 3 – Policy: Crafting an Enabling Business Environment
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 16:00
Session 4 – Funding: Securing Financing and Investment
This session will be moderated by Escipión J. Oliveira-Gómez, Director of the Division of Enterprises Competitiveness and Institutions, ITC
16:00 - 16:15
Break
16:15 - 17:00
High-Level Closing - Summary of Outcomes and High-level Statements
ITC Executive Director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton will participate in a High-Level Closing ceremony as a Speaker
09:15 - 10:00
SIDS Gender Equality Forum
Seaside Chat between ITC Executive Director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Vice President of Palau and the Vice President for Operations at Caribbean Development Bank
Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)
Monday 27 May 2024
09:00 - 09:30
Cultural Opening
10:00 - 13:00
First plenary meeting & General debate
10 – 11 a.m. - Opening segment
The election of the President of the Conference
Statements by the President of the Conference, the President of the General Assembly, the President of the Economic and Social Council, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, the Secretary-General of the Conference and a youth representative
Consideration of procedural and organizational matters, including the adoption of the rules of procedure and the agenda, the election of officers, the establishment of a Main Committee, if required, the appointment of the members of the Credentials Committee, arrangements for the preparation of the report of the Conference and other matters.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
General debate
The election of the President of the Conference
Statements by the President of the Conference, the President of the General Assembly, the President of the Economic and Social Council, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, the Secretary-General of the Conference and a youth representative
Consideration of procedural and organizational matters, including the adoption of the rules of procedure and the agenda, the election of officers, the establishment of a Main Committee, if required, the appointment of the members of the Credentials Committee, arrangements for the preparation of the report of the Conference and other matters.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
General debate
12:00 - 13:30
Room 3, American University of Antigua, Organisers: ITC & Antigua and Barbuda
The importance of data in promoting trade, investment, climate resilience and SME competitiveness policies
Accurate and timely data helps governments and businesses understand market demands, consumer preferences, and emerging trends. This information is crucial for formulating competitive trade strategies, identifying new markets, and aligning products or services with global demand. Therefore, access to reliable trade and investment data is crucial for SIDS governments to formulate and implement targeted policies that foster an environment conducive to SME competitiveness, trade, and attracting investments. Governments, businesses, and policymakers must prioritize data-driven approaches to ensure the resilience and success of their economic initiatives in an increasingly complex and interconnected global landscape. Recognizing the key role of Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in fostering SME competitiveness, this Side event will be an exchange of best practices, tools and experiences among partners to map out climate change-related risks and opportunities facing companies whilst identifying further data needs by SIDS. The objective is to enable appropriate policies fostering sustainable development and resilience. The event will feature the launch of the SIDS Trade Tracker and the Agrifood Exports and Climate Change guide for Business Support Organisations (BSOs)
Pamela Coke-Hamilton
Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)
Rabat Fatima
Under Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
Malcolm Geere
UK’s Development Director in the Caribbean
Honourable Gaston Browne
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda
Ruisandro Cijntje
Minister of Economic Development at the Government of Curaçao
Pavel Isa Contreras
Minister, Economy, Planning and Development Dominican Republic
Alfredo Da Trindade
Director General Agency for the Promotion of Trade and Investment, Sao Tomé and Principe
Kamal Chetty
Chief Exectuvie Officer Investment Fiji
Escipión J. Oliveira-Gómez
Director of the Division of Enterprises Competitiveness and Institutions, ITC (Session Moderator)
14:00 - 14:30
Opening Press Conference
15:00 - 18:00
Second plenary meeting
General debate
Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)
Tuesday 28 May 2024
09:00 - 13:00
Third plenary meeting (In parallel)
General debate
11:00 - 13:00
Interactive dialogue (Revitalizing SIDS Economies for Accelerated and Sustainable Growth)
15:00 - 18:00
Fourth plenary meeting (In parallel)
General debate
16:00 - 17:30
Room 4, American University of Antigua (AUA), Organisers: European Union & ITC
Enhancing economic resilience through blue-green growth and value-addition in SIDS
SIDS are facing the brunt of multiple crises: climate change, the economic and social repercussions of COVID-19, and a crisis of debt. At the same time, the political commitment to achieving responsible and inclusive social and economic growth while combating climate change and promoting responsible consumption and production has never been greater. Transforming commitment into action is key for SIDS if they are to face their natural vulnerabilities to ecological fragility, proneness to natural disasters, low incomes and high dependency on food imports and overreliance on fossil fuels for energy. Economic, environmental and social resilience can be enhanced for SIDS to overcome vulnerability through increased regional market integration, economic diversification, promotion of greater coordination and cooperation, and evidence-based policies and actions. Focus on improved access to market information, value addition, inclusive finance and investment and promotion of blue and green growth can be catalytic towards sustainable trade and development in SIDS. This Side Event shall explore perspectives of key stakeholders, MSMEs and experts operating in selected value chains across SIDS to assess how market-led partnerships or alliances can lead to enhanced economic resilience through blue-green growth and value addition.
The Hon. Kavydass Ramano
Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mauritius
Pamela Coke-Hamilton
Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)
Luc Bagur
Sustainable Development Policy and Coordination, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (INTPA), European Union (EU)
Cristelle Pratt
Assistant Secretary General, The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)
Edison Rijna
Special Envoy for the BES islands for EU and UN, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of Netherlands (Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties)
Nickie Myers
General Manager, Alligator Head Foundation, Jamaica
Michael Louze
Director, South Sea Commodities, Vanuatu
Sophia Searles
General Manager, Searles Agro Products, St Vincent & the Grenadines
Mari Granström
Founder, Origin by Ocean, Finland
Larry Gardiner
CEO, BabyLove’s C-G Foods, Jamaica
16:00 - 18:00
Interactive dialogue (Enhancing Critical Forms of Financing and Aid Effectiveness through Collaborative Partnerships: A Conversation)
18:00 - 20:00
St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, Organiser: OHRLLS
SIDS4 Private Sector Roundtable
ITC Executive Director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton will participate in a High Level Panel Discussion and speak on the important role of MSMEs in the sustainable development of SIDS and how to strengthen MSME competitiveness. She will also highlight the need for entrepreneurship development within the youth, women and indigenous communities.
Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)
Wednesday 29 May 2024
09:00 - 13:00
Fifth plenary meeting (In parallel)
General debate
11:00 - 13:00
Interactive dialogue (Making Climate Finance Work for SIDS: Building on the Outcomes of UNFCCC COP 28)
15:00 - 18:00
Sixth plenary meeting (In parallel)
General debate
16:00 - 18:00
Interactive dialogue (Levering Data and Digital Technologies and Building Effective Institutions for a Resilient Future in SIDS)
ITC Executive Director, Pamela Coke Hamilton will moderate a 20 min fireside chat with: H.E Ms. Minna-Liina Lind, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, H.E. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)
Thursday 30 May 2024
09:00 - 12:00
Seventh plenary meeting (In parallel)
General debate
11:00 - 13:00
Interactive dialogue (Investing in Human Capital: Addressing Health Crisis in SIDS and Building the Potential of Youth in SIDS)
14:00 - 17:00
Eighth plenary meeting
Closing of the general debate
Closing segment, including reporting on the interactive dialogues, adoption of the outcome document and the report of the Conference
Closing segment, including reporting on the interactive dialogues, adoption of the outcome document and the report of the Conference
SIDS4 Conference 2024 - Pamela Coke-Hamilton's video message
Videos: ITC work across SIDS
24 April 2024
The Alligator Head Foundation: The ridge to reef protectors
24 April 2024
The Alligator Head Foundation: The ridge to reef protectors
22 April 2024
Kava: The green gold from Vanuatu
22 April 2024
Kava: The green gold from Vanuatu
24 April 2024
BabyLove's Twist: A twist of fate and flavours
24 April 2024
BabyLove's Twist: A twist of fate and flavours
08 December 2023
Samoan businesses showcase products at Rugby World Cup in France
08 December 2023
Samoan businesses showcase products at Rugby World Cup in France
08 December 2023
African, Caribbean & Pacific fine food brands impress at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair in London
08 December 2023
African, Caribbean & Pacific fine food brands impress at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair in London
08 December 2023
Natural and organic beauty of the Pacific on show at Olympia Beauty Trade Fair in London
08 December 2023
Natural and organic beauty of the Pacific on show at Olympia Beauty Trade Fair in London
08 December 2023
Fiji businesses on global stage at Rugby World Cup in France
08 December 2023
Fiji businesses on global stage at Rugby World Cup in France
11 May 2023
UKTP introduces Seychelles' startups to investment and partnership opportunities in the UK
11 May 2023
UKTP introduces Seychelles' startups to investment and partnership opportunities in the UK
02 December 2022
Alliances for Caribbean Coconuts: Jamaica
02 December 2022
Alliances for Caribbean Coconuts: Jamaica
05 October 2022
Alliances for Jamaican Cocoa
05 October 2022
Alliances for Jamaican Cocoa
29 November 2021
United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP) Fiji - Ginger project - New version
29 November 2021
United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP) Fiji - Ginger project - New version
27 January 2017
NATIONAL EXPORT STRATEGY
27 January 2017
NATIONAL EXPORT STRATEGY
29 December 2016
MIMCO x Ethical Fashion Initiative: Hispaniola, Haiti, 2016
29 December 2016
MIMCO x Ethical Fashion Initiative: Hispaniola, Haiti, 2016
ITC recognizes that small island developing states (SIDS) face a unique set of challenges, particularly their vulnerability to external shocks. ITC works with SIDS to improve their export performance through regional collaboration, focused sectoral programmes, institutional support and strengthening the private sector. We also assist these states to trade mainly agricultural products that are attractive to niche markets that demand products proven to be sustainable economically, socially and environmentally.
Towards resilient prosperity: Small Island Developing States
In this special Trade Forum issue, read the stories of this conference’s main players,
including those of the private sector. As thought leaders on SIDS, they discuss how economic diversification and investment in the blue and green economy play a crucial role for future prosperity, while our features from Jamaica and Vanuatu highlight entrepreneurs striving to turn their businesses into real market opportunities.
We are proud to have contributions from the Secretary-General of the SIDS4 conference, the Prime Ministers of Mauritius and Antigua and Barbuda, the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs of Timor-Leste, the Commonwealth Secretariat, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation, Asian Development Bank, and the Government of Ireland, among the many thought leaders in this Trade Forum issue.
