Événement

ITC @ the SIDS4 Conference

    Aperçu

    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.

    Date et lieu
    25–30 mai 2024

    St John's

    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
    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

    Video from ITC Executive Director


    SIDS4 Conference 2024 - Pamela Coke-Hamilton's video message

     

     

    ITC Projects in SIDS

    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. 

     

    Publications in SIDS

    Tools, Resources & Networks

    Special Trade Forum edition on SIDS

    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.

    Project stories