Your Excellency Ms. Ilana Seid, Permanent Representative of Palau to the United Nations and Chair of AOSIS,
Excellencies,
Good afternoon.
I am honoured to join you at this Plenary Meeting.
In the months since the landmark SIDS4 Conference, UN DESA has been collaborating with SIDS to translate the ABAS from commitment to action.
Today, I will report on our concrete progress in key priority areas, reflect on the opportunities arising from recent global conferences, and reaffirm our strong support for AOSIS member States.
First, on the ABAS Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
The completed draft framework, developed ahead of the June 2025 deadline, is now before you for your consideration.
It features 59 targets and 83 indicators across seven thematic areas¡ªaligned with the ABAS vision for resilient prosperity.
To minimize the reporting burden, indicators are mostly drawn from the existing SDG global indicator framework.
For critical areas where indicators are still unavailable, such as climate finance, we have included targeted qualitative indicators to ensure no priority is missed.
The next step is validation by national statistical offices. Subject to resource availability, we will convene validation workshops to gather feedback.
We stand ready to make any revision before the consideration of the framework by the General Assembly.
Under the guidance of AOSIS and other member States, DESA is ready to move swiftly to support the operationalization phase.
Second, regarding system coherence, with reference to Paragraph 36 of the ABAS.
This calls for proposals to ensure a coordinated, coherent and effective UN system-wide approach to SIDS capacity development, and to enhance the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the ABAS, including the potential for a single, SIDS-dedicated entity within the Secretariat.
These proposals are expected to be deliberated at the 81st session of the General Assembly, and will, therefore, be included in next year¡¯s report of the Secretary General on ABAS implementation.
Proposals for strengthened capacity support will align with the QCPR resolution, and will be developed in close partnership with DCO.
Third, on the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index.
DESA and OHRLLS are coordinating efforts to operationalize the Governance Framework for the MVI. Proposed candidates for the MVI Independent Expert Advisory Panel will soon be submitted to the Secretary General.
Work will also commence on an institutional assessment to identify the most suitable UN institution to host the MVI Secretariat.
Meanwhile, we continue to encourage the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) to mainstream the MVI. So far, the World Health Organization has committed to pilot the MVI in the design of its strategic plans and monitoring frameworks.
An assessment of multidimensional vulnerability across the UN system is now being finalized, with recommendations for the boards of UN funds, agencies and programmes.
Outside the UN system, both the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Caribbean Development Bank are actively piloting the MVI. Preliminary results are promising.
A similar assessment is also underway for four multilateral development banks, namely the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, African Development Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Fourth, other support to SIDS by DESA.
The Department¡¯s broader programme of support to SIDS includes:
1. Tackling poverty and inequality in the recovery from crises;
2. Ensuring sustainable financing for SIDS, including through DESA¡¯s Financing for SIDS initiative;
3. Leveraging data and science for SDG implementation through DESA¡¯s Data for SIDS initiative;
4. Advancing strategic foresight and digital capacity in SIDS;
5. Strengthening SIDS partnerships to advance ABAS and the SDGs;
6. Harnessing synergies among ABAS, the 2030 Agenda and climate action.
The Department¡¯s work also aims to boost SIDS-SIDS cooperation and peer-learning to expand SIDS-led solutions.
Further details are included in our updated SIDS brochure, available on our website.
Finally, we must seize the momentum from recent global conferences.
The Third UN Ocean Conference and the Fourth Conference on Financing for Development present new opportunities for SIDS.
They offer new pathway to sustainable financing, concrete solutions to debt distress¡ªsuch as the Debt Sustainability Support Service (DSSS)¡ªand a stronger platform to advocate the unique vulnerabilities of SIDS.
DESA is committed to integrating these outcomes into our workstreams and mobilizing dedicated resources to support their implementation.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
DESA is and will remain fully committed to working with, and for SIDS.
You can count on our full support in advancing the SIDS agenda.
Thank you.