Conference & upcoming CSO consultations
As the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)
approaches, civil society organisations (CSOs) are being encouraged to seize the
opportunity to join the interregional discussion on sustainable development by
participating in the events around the SIDS4 Conference, and by joining the next
series of CSO consultations happening in conjunction with the SIDS4 CSO
Coalition co-led by Integrated Health Outreach Inc. (IHO) and the Marine
Ecosystems Protected Areas Trust (MEPA Trust).
The SIDS4 Conference is happening in Antigua and Barbuda from May 27 to May
30, 2024, under the theme “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity" and
with the aim of assessing the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development.
During the conference, member states plan to agree on a broad strategy for the way
forward over the next decade.
Antigua and Barbuda’s UN Ambassador, W. Aubrey Webson (centre), welcomed representatives of the SIDS4 CSO Coalition to the UN HQ in New York in April to observe the 2nd Preparatory Meeting for the SIDS4 Conference. The representatives from the coalition pictured here are Chloe Ambrose of Scrub Life Cares (right) and Britney McDonald of IHO.
At the same time, SIDS civil society has a unique opportunity to advocate, network
and collaborate on their plan of action.
There will be several pre-conference activities available for CSOs. A hybrid
Global CSO Summit is to be held on May 24 to provide civil society across the
globe the platform to share inputs. Civil society unable to attend the conference
will be able to access the summit virtually. The Official Special Event, the Civil
Society Forum on May 29, will be a condensed version of the Global CSO
Summit, where the SIDS4 Civil Society Roadmap and Action Plan will be
declared.
From left to right, SIDS4 CSO Coalition representatives Chloe Ambrose of Scrub Life Cares, Britney McDonald of IHO, and Cerene Prince of the Antigua and Barbuda Holistic Coalition
This plan is a collaboration meant to represent the research and inputs of CSOs
across the Caribbean; the Pacific; and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China
Sea (AIS), on sustainable development and actions for SIDS. There will be an open
call for speakers to address the SIDS4 Civil Society Forum and at the Global CSO
Summit pre-activity hosted by the SIDS4 CSO Coalition.
Underscoring the importance of civil society engagement in connection to the
conference, SIDS4 CSO Coalition representatives were welcomed to observe the
Second Preparatory Committee Meeting for the SIDS4 Conference at the United
Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York from April 1st to April 5th. The
delegation included representatives from IHO, Scrub Life Cares, and the Antigua
& Barbuda Holistic Coalition. They were welcomed by the Permanent
Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN, Ambassador W. Aubrey
Webson and his staff, who shared his support for the work of CSOs preparing for
the conference.
Civil society participation in the SIDS4 Conference will be discussed during the
third series of consultations by the SIDS4 CSO Coalition. There will be sessions
open to all CSO Sectors, on the following dates: April 25 and April 29. Sector
specific consultations will occur early May to ensure strong representation in key
areas.
CSOs are encouraged to register for the upcoming consultations and lend their
experience and expertise to the discussion. More information contact:
info@ihoab.com.
