An overview about SIDS

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There are currently 38 UN members of the SIDS network, and 20 non-UN members / associate members of regional commissions. The current list of SIDS members is available here.

UNCTAD (the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) released a "SIDS Development and Globalization: Facts and Figures 2021" website in June 2021. This website contains a rich amount of information about the UN SIDS members.

Access the website here.

For an overview about the SIDS collectively, click here.

For an overview of "what makes a SIDS a SIDS", click here.

The average GDP per capita in 2019 of SIDS members was US$7,985. 

An outlier in this measurement is Singapore, with its gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (over US$30 000) reflecting Singapore’s place as an international centre of commerce and finance.

A detailed report by the World Health Organisation on SIDS is available here. 

The SAMOA Pathway (Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action) was agreed in September 2014.

In a meeting held between 1 and 4 September 2014, the Heads of State and Government and high-level representatives of 43 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) met in Apia, Samoa at the third International Conference on SIDS, together with the participation of civil society and relevant stakeholders, to reaffirm their commitment to the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States. 

A summary of the output of that event on the UN website is available here.

In September 2019, a mid-term review of the SAMOA Pathway was held in New York. You can read a summary of the meeting here.

A detailed document created in April 2019 by the UN - which you can access here - describes partnerships for Small Island Developing States.

The SIDS Partnership Toolbox is available here.

UN DESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs) is the Secretariat of both the intergovernmental and inter-agency coordination mechanisms to monitor and report on the implementation of the Barbados Plan of Action (BPOA), Mauritius Strategy of Implementation (MSI), and the SAMOA Pathway, including on progress made toward the establishment and implementation of SIDS partnerships. Find out more here.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports a substantial portfolio of projects in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) focused on climate change adaptation. Read more here. Overall information about UNDP assistance towards SIDS is available here.

The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and the Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001. They have a dedicated focus on SIDS. Read more here.

The UNESCO SIDS Programme develops World Heritage activities in these areas, providing support for new nominations to the World Heritage List, and sustainable conservation and management practices for sites already inscribed. Find out more here.

The OECD provides statistical data and policy analysis on concessional finance to SIDS, to enhance access to and quality of development finance to countries most in need, and to support the development of financial instruments and approaches that are tailored to countries’ specific circumstances and needs. Find out more here.

The SIDS Global Business Network (SIDS-GBN) exists to foster awareness of sustainable development as a guide to promoting business that is driven by innovation, inclusive economic growth and job creation, and is firmly rooted in social, environmental and economic standards that respect the development aspirations of local communities in line with the SAMOA Pathway and the Sustainable Development Goals. Find out more here.

The World Bank supports Small States (which includes SIDS) with various programmes and activities. Find out more here.