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Thank you Chair. 

Co-Chairs, 

Excellencies, 

Distinguished Colleagues, 

Good morning to you all. 

My apologies for not being able to join in person due to a tight schedule here.  But I thank you for allowing me to join online.   

At the outset, I wish to congratulate Ambassador Carolyn and Ambassador Ali for the good progress being made on the zero draft negotiations.  I commend your leadership and strong commitment as Co-Chairs of the PrepCom to steer the proceedings towards a successful outcome. 

I also thank the other members of the Bureau for their support and commitment to the preparatory process.   

I wish to assure you our continued commitment in the final months now leading to the Conference, the success of the SIDS4 conference, and for an ambitious and forward-looking SIDS agenda for the next decade. 

To make the Conference a real success, it is critically important to ensure highest-level participation from Member States and stakeholders.  And towards that end, we have continued our advocacy and outreach efforts, as well as, mobilizing enough resources to support good participation of SIDS and LDCs at the Conference.  Participation at a high political level, will also create necessary political momentum to ensure the full and effective implementation of the next POA. 

My Office stands ready to assist the Co-Chairs, and the Bureau, in further outreach efforts and mobilize a robust representation from Member States and other stakeholders at the SIDS4 Conference. 

I am pleased to share that   we have received great support from our partners so far, with almost all pledges to the Secretariat Trust Fund realized, which is to the tune of approximately US$3.7 million. We expect that the remaining pledges will be materialized soon. 

However, we are aware of challenges that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, our host, is still facing   to mobilize enough resources for the trust fund for their preparation for the Conference. We are committed to intensifying our efforts to engage our partners to address this issue. 

Excellencies, 

Turning to the outcome document for the SIDS4 Conference, I wish to reiterate the need for a comprehensive, forward looking, and action-oriented Programme of Action (POA) for SIDS.  

OHRLLS’ ongoing work on critical issues such as the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), Climate Financing, SIDS National Focal Points (NFPs) Network, and the Global Business Network (GBN) will be further reinforced in realizing the ambitions of the next POA and the SDGs in SIDS. 

It is paramount to ensure that the UN System is fully equipped and “fit for purpose” to support the new Programme of Action for SIDS.  

In this regard, we have kept a robust engagement with the remain engaged with the UN development system to support the SIDS agenda through the Interagency Consultative Group on SIDS. 

I am pleased to announce that the forthcoming SIDS Global Business Network (SIDS-GBN) Forum is scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda on 25-26 May 2024 at Grande Sandal’s Resort.  

The Forum will provide a platform for the private sector to deliver concrete pledges and innovative business models and partnerships in support of the SIDS agenda. It will also aim to identify ways and means on how governments can strengthen their engagement with the private sector and encourage enhanced investment in implementing the new SIDS agenda.  

We are working closely with DESA to ensure that a representative from the sponsored SIDS participants will avail of the opportunity to participate and join the Forum. 

Furthermore, OHRLLS will convene the SIDS4 Private Sector Roundtable in the evening of May 28th, at the SIDS4 Conference Venue.  

The Roundtable will bring together private sector leaders, SIDS governments, and development partners for focused discussions on resilient island economies and strategies to ensure active private sector engagement. A detailed program for the roundtable will be shared in due course. 

Excellencies, 

We are just about three months away from the Conference.  , we must put all our hands on deck to ensure that the SIDS4 Conference is a great success and truly transformative event.  

In our final stretch to achieve this shared goal, let us draw upon our collective strength, partnership, and collaboration to overcome all the challenges.  

Rest assured my entire Office and I will be with you in every step of the way until we cross the finish line of SIDS4, and embark on a new journey towards  the next decade of progress and sustainable development in SIDS. 

I thank you.