Small Island Developing States
Encyclopedia
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are low-lying coastal countries that tend to share similar sustainable development
challenges, including small but growing populations, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, vulnerability to external shocks, excessive dependence on international trade
, and fragile environments. Their growth and development is also held back by high communication, energy and transportation costs, irregular international transport volumes, disproportionately expensive public administration and infrastructure due to their small size, and little to no opportunity to create economies of scale.
The SIDS were first recognized as a distinct group of developing countries at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992. The Barbados Programme of Action
was produced in 1994 to assist the SIDS in their sustainable development efforts.
lists 52 small island developing states. These are broken down into three geographic regions: the Caribbean
; the Pacific; and Africa
, Indian Ocean
, Mediterranean and South China Sea
(AIMS). Each of these regions has a regional cooperation body: the Caribbean Community
, the Pacific Islands Forum
and the Indian Ocean Commission
respectively, which many SIDS are members or associate members of. In addition, most (but not all) SIDS are members of the Alliance of Small Island States
, which performs lobbying and negotiating functions for the SIDS within the United Nations
system.
1. Also a Least developed country
2. Observer of the Alliance of Small Island States
3. Not a member or observer of the Alliance of Small Island States
4. Associate member of regional cooperation body
5. Observer of regional cooperation body
6. Not a member or observer of regional cooperation body
7. Not a member of the United Nations
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
challenges, including small but growing populations, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, vulnerability to external shocks, excessive dependence on international trade
International trade
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product...
, and fragile environments. Their growth and development is also held back by high communication, energy and transportation costs, irregular international transport volumes, disproportionately expensive public administration and infrastructure due to their small size, and little to no opportunity to create economies of scale.
The SIDS were first recognized as a distinct group of developing countries at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992. The Barbados Programme of Action
Barbados Programme of Action
The United Nations Programme of Action on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, popularly referred to as the Barbados Program of Action , is a policy document that both: comprehensively addresses the economic, environmental, and social developmental vulnerabilities facing...
was produced in 1994 to assist the SIDS in their sustainable development efforts.
List of SIDS
Currently, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social AffairsUnited Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs is part of the United Nations Secretariat and is responsible for the follow-up to the major United Nations Summits and Conferences, as well as services to the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the Second and Third Committees...
lists 52 small island developing states. These are broken down into three geographic regions: the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
; the Pacific; and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, Mediterranean and South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
(AIMS). Each of these regions has a regional cooperation body: the Caribbean Community
Caribbean Community
The Caribbean Community is an organisation of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies. CARICOM's main purposes are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy...
, the Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific Islands Forum
The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean. It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum...
and the Indian Ocean Commission
Indian Ocean Commission
The Indian Ocean Commission , known as the Commission de l'Océan Indien in French, is an intergovernmental organization that joins Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, France , and the Seychelles together to encourage cooperation. It was started in January 1984 under the General Victoria Agreement...
respectively, which many SIDS are members or associate members of. In addition, most (but not all) SIDS are members of the Alliance of Small Island States
Alliance of Small Island States
Alliance of Small Island States is an intergovernmental organization of low-lying coastal and small Island countries. Established in 1990, the main purpose of the alliance is to consolidate the voices of Small Island Developing States to address global warming...
, which performs lobbying and negotiating functions for the SIDS within the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
system.
| Caribbean | Pacific | AIMS |
| 3, 4, 7 | 2, 6, 7 | 3, 6 |
| 7 | 6 | |
| 3, 5, 7 | 1 | |
| 1, 6 | ||
| 3, 4, 7 | 5 | |
| 2, 6, 7 | ||
| 3, 4, 7 | 1 | 1, 6 |
| 6 | ||
| 6 | ||
| 5 | 3, 4, 7 | |
| 7 | ||
| 3, 6, 7 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 3, 7 | 1 | |
| 2, 5, 7 | 1 | |
| 3, 5, 7 | 1, 3, 5 | |
| 1 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 2, 6, 7 |
1. Also a Least developed country
2. Observer of the Alliance of Small Island States
3. Not a member or observer of the Alliance of Small Island States
4. Associate member of regional cooperation body
5. Observer of regional cooperation body
6. Not a member or observer of regional cooperation body
7. Not a member of the United Nations
Sources and External links
- About SIDS, United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
- List of SIDS, United Nations Division for Sustainable Development
- AOSIS Members, Alliance of Small Island States
- SIDS Network Small Islands Development States Network
See also
- Africa, the Caribbean and the PacificACP countriesThe African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States is a group of countries , created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. The group's main objectives are sustainable development and poverty reduction within its member states, as well as their greater integration into the world's economy...
(ACP) - Islands FirstIslands FirstIslands First is a recently founded non-governmental organization working on behalf of the Small Island Developing States to confront the challenges of climate change, the depletion of ocean resources , and ocean level's rise.- Background and Mission :Small island countries have been the first to...
(environmental organization) - 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference2010 United Nations Climate Change ConferenceThe 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference was held in Cancún, Mexico, from 29 November to 10 December 2010. The conference is officially referred to as the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 6th session of the...