国产AV

H.E. Everly Paul Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade & Barbuda Affairs,

Ambassador Pa'olelei Luteru, Permanent Representative of Samoa to the UN, Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, and Co-chair of the Steering Committee on Partnerships for SIDS,

Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN in New York,

Ms. Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development,

 Excellencies,

Distinguished members of the business community,

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It’s an honour and great pleasure  to welcome you  all to the Small Island Developing States Global Business Network Forum here in beautiful St. John’s, as we gather here for the 4th International Conference on the SIDS

 I thank the Governments of Denmark and Ireland for their generous support to host the Forum, and for being our longstanding partners to this initiative.

 I would also like to thank the Government of Antigua & Barbuda for its warm and generous hospitality.

 The motto of the islands, “Each endeavouring, all achieving” truly upholds the value of partnership for inclusive and equitable development.

 I hope this spirit will inspire us to shape new partnerships and a brighter future for all Small Island Developing States.

Excellencies,

Distinguished Participants,

The Global Business Network Forum is now in its tenth year, having been established during the Third International Conference on SIDS in 2014.

 The role of the Network is to act as a resource hub and platform for bringing together public-private partnerships to advance the SIDS agenda.

Over the last decade, the Network has grown from strength to strength.  It has evolved as an important platform for sharing of knowledge, best practices, and the creation of business and other connections.

As a flagship event of the Network, my Office convenes the SIDS-GBN Forum every two years.

 This year’s Forum will be the first under the newly agreed Antigua & Barbuda Agenda for SIDS – the ABAS. 

 We now have a unique opportunity to take stock of the first 10 years of the Network and set the direction for its next decade.

 In our journey ahead, the ABAS, is our essential compass.  The agenda effectively addresses the SIDS’ needs for:

• resilient economies,
• safe, healthy, and prosperous societies,
• a secure future,
• environmental protection, and
• planetary sustainability.

The new POA also underscores the need for the full engagement of the private sector for its implementation.

Both for leveraging finance and innovation, and the creation of public-private partnerships in key sectors.

To ensure the effective engagement of the private sector in this endeavor, we need to harness the transformative power of the business community to achieve the priorities and goals of ABAS. 

Over the next two days, the Forum will endeavour to do just that.

Excellencies,

Dear Friends and Partners,

My Office recognizes the importance of enhanced private sector engagement in SIDS development agenda. 

The expertise, innovation, and partnerships on offer from the private sector, is critical to realize the ambitions of SIDS for a fairer, more prosperous future.

My Office has overseen an extensive preparatory process that lays the ground for a fruitful and productive Forum over the next two days. 

We will have four thematic sessions looking at how to:

• strengthen innovative blue-green economies,
• empower local communities for revitalizing economies,
• strengthen the enabling business environment, and
• secure financing and investment for the private sector in SIDS.

These themes are closely aligned with the priorities outlined in the ABAS.

I look forward to hearing your recommendations. I would encourage you to come up with concrete action points and commitments.

The outcome of this Forum will be presented at the Private Sector Roundtable at the SIDS4 Conference on Tuesday.

I thank you once again, for travelling from far to be here with us. 

I also wish to thank you Hon’ble Minister, dear Ambassadors, and UNCTAD, for your commitment and support to the GBN.

I am certain that we will have a very productive meeting.

 I thank you.