On 11 April 2024, at the resumed second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), Member States unanimously approved the outcome document of the Conference: The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) – a Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity. The document sets out the sustainable development aspirations of small islands over the next ten years and the support required from the international community to achieve them. It reaffirms that, despite the significant progress SIDS have made over the past three decades, they remain a special case for sustainable development due to their unique vulnerabilities.

SIDS aspire to build resilient economies; foster safe, healthy and prosperous societies; achieve water, food and energy security; conserve biodiversity; protect and sustainably use the ocean and its resources; and halt and urgently mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. To help SIDS to meet these ambitions, the text contains commitments to facilitate easier access to affordable and concessional finance, increase effectiveness of development finance, scale-up biodiversity finance and climate action and support, including climate finance, in line with existing obligations and commitments. In the text, Member States also agreed to launch a Center of Excellence for SIDS and Debt Sustainability Support Service. To support effective implementation, the text also calls upon the UN system to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework, with clear targets and indicators, to be completed by no later than the second quarter of 2025.  

 The ABAS will be formally adopted by all Member States at the closing plenary meeting of the SIDS4 Conference, to take place in Antigua and Barbuda from 27 to 30 May.