Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - SIDS-GBN

Building Blue Economy Partnerships and Pandemic Recovery in Small Island Developing States

HSASS — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 05:01:00 +0000

fololina_avia_received_help_through_the_small_business_development_project_to_expand_her_lady_edwina_fishing_company_and_stall_at_the_apia_fish_market._asian_development_bank.jpg

Fololina Avia received help through the Small Business Development Project to expand her Lady Edwina fishing company and stall at the Apia fish market.

Asian Development Bank

NEW YORK- 11 December 2020 – A virtual webinar on partnership opportunities for sustainable blue economy transition and pandemic recovery in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was organized by the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) in cooperation with the World Ocean Council.

The dialogue focused on how ocean partnerships could be used to integrate our oceans as part of the sustainable blue economy. Oceans play a strategic role as they not only feed the SIDS but also the global community. However, sectors dependent on oceans have been severely impacted with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussants shared their experiences and ongoing projects in the blue economy particularly in sectors like sustainable tourism, aquaculture and renewable energy.

In her opening remarks, the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, stressed that ocean business partnerships are important as part of the sustainable development path of SIDS as laid out in the SAMOA Pathway. This is because SIDS are bearing the adverse impacts of overfishing, pollution and climate change which has further been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, SIDS are experiencing a drastic fall in revenues from sectors like tourism and fisheries which is consequently affecting the livelihoods of their populations.

There was a common agreement that ocean business partnerships are crucial and should include governments, financial institutions as well as the private sector. The SIDS Partnership Framework and the UN-OHRLLS SIDS Global Business Network (GBN) were cited as important examples of platforms that encourage private sector participation in the ocean sector.

The SIDS GBN focuses on several thematic areas like disaster risk reduction, fisheries and marine resources, renewable energy and sustainable tourism. The SIDS GBN Forum will tentatively take place at the Our Ocean Conference in Palau in 2021, with webinars and events to foster partnerships for SIDS leading up to the Forum. The first webinar will focus on Ocean Energy and be organized together with IRENA in the first quarter of 2021.

A panel discussion during the dialogue discussed a number of existing projects already being undertaken across SIDS as part of the transition towards the sustainable blue economy and it included desalination projects in Cabo Verde, promotion of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean region as well as renewable energy projects like the production of electricity from tidal waves. Aquaculture was also deemed as another promising sector for SIDS particularly the cultivation of seaweeds which contributes towards ocean sustainability.

Participants also widely acknowledged that since ocean use is growing at a very fast pace, the challenges facing the blue economy are cross-cutting across various sectors like shipping, aquaculture and tourism. These challenges include (i) conservation of marine biodiversity, (ii) ensuring food security, (iii) reduction in anthropogenic impacts as well as (iv) addressing climate change and disaster risk reduction.

The takeaways from the meeting included the need to form partnerships and share knowledge across islands as they face similar challenges regarding the ocean economy. It was also considered crucial to involve all stakeholders namely the government, private sector, academia as well as NGOs in ocean partnerships. The forthcoming 2nd UN Oceans Conference and the launch of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development were also welcomed as important milestones in advancing partnership opportunities in the blue economy.

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Statement at the SIDS Partnership Framework Global-Multi Stakeholder Dialogue

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 17:42:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

10 July 2020
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I join my colleagues in warmly welcoming you to our Global-Multi Stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue.

I thank our Co-Chairs, Ambassadors Webson and Frazier for your strong support and keeping us all going!

COVID-19 has not just drastically changed circumstances, COVID-19 shows us every day how important partnerships are.

SIDS, more than ever need partnerships ! The progress made in priority areas for SIDS is under threat and we must be concerned about looming debt crises, human security, rebuilding economies and the need for ongoing climate action as COVID-19 did not stop climate change!

Our landscape now is one of new challenges intertwined with the old ones.

It is NOW that we must move forward.

Already now, opportunities emerge to share lessons learned and best practices.

For example, how to reopen safely the major income earner that the tourism sector is. How to ensure that private investment continues to flow to SIDS economies.

How to build back sustainably.

How can SIDS and partners effectively work together to pre-empt and resolve respective shortages of medical equipment and expertise.

SIDS and their countries are at different stages of the pandemic and thus different stages of reopening their societies and economies.

Sharing your evolving experiences, knowledge and concerns is timely and crucial for SIDS. It is needed to move through and forward from the current crisis.

SIDS must be enabled to reach their priorities, as set out in the SAMOA Pathway and in line with the 2030 Agenda.

This is a time to join forces to address common challenges.

SIDS can be proud of many successes and in particular your ambitions for impactful climate action.

From the OHRLLS perspective we can bring to the table our facilitation work. We facilitate partnerships across groups and South-South cooperation, including with Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). We do this through joint meetings and events on key areas as requested by the member states.

OHRLLS is here to support the Steering Committee and the co-chairs in implementing the programme of work for this year.

This includes the activities through the SIDS Global Business Network, and strengthening the engagement with the private sector.

My Director, Ms. Heidi Schröderus-Fox , will describe the GBN more in detail shortly.

I hope today’s Dialogue and its follow-up activities, in particular the discussion on the Strategic Direction of the Partnership Framework, will bring about creative solutions. We must join forces for impactful partnerships to ensure we do not leave the peoples of the SIDS behind.

Thank you.

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Statement at the Webinar on The Role of the Oceans as a Sustainable Resource

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 20:01:00 +0000

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

8 July 2020
New York, USA

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I wish to thank the Permanent Mission of Barbados for your invitation to participate in this important event.

It is so important that we TOGETHER reflect on the role of oceans as a sustainable resource that can contribute to the global energy transition. This also is a key concern for our work in OHRLLS.

SIDS and oceans are one. Islanders live in symbiosis with their oceans and lands.

The SAMOA Pathway prioritizes oceans and marine resources as one of the keys to their sustainable development.

The SIDS right now remain in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not you I have to tell about the severe socio-economic impacts and many other ramifications this crisis has triggered and will continue to trigger.

More than ever we must now look at the role of oceans in recovery and sustainable development. The responses and recovery plans must fully provide for opportunities for innovation and transformation in the energy sector in SIDS and that must include developing ocean energy.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As the saying goes, SIDS may be small but are vast ocean countries.

Oceans are the DNA of SIDS, they are the fundamental base upon which the economies and culture of many SIDS and coastal communities are built.

So, it is self-evident that they are central to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Harvesting ocean energy is per se not new. I recall how in my own country, way back in the 80’s we tried to explore tidal energy.

Too much time has gone by since. It is urgent that we advance in exploring how ocean energy can turn into a viable renewable source.

The potential is tremendous and it could accelerate not just the deployment of renewable energy but help create jobs and build more resilient communities.

Their very geography, their extremely limited land resources have forced many SIDS to emerge as frontrunners in the pursuit of energy transitions.

The costs of renewable energy have come down.

This is the opportunity for SIDS to revamp their energy strategies. This is the opportunity to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.

Being vast ocean nations, ocean energy is an attractive option for many SIDS and especially those with the smallest landmasses where other options such as land-based solar and wind are limited.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After an initial let me say “enthusiasm” way back, sadly ocean energy is significantly behind other renewable sources in regard to technical maturity and economic viability.

An IRENA report on fostering a blue economy tellingly shows that ocean energy technologies remain in their developmental stages.

Most technologies are prototype and only some just reaching commercialization.

Some SIDS ever since the 80’s explore tidal, wave and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technologies.

Some SIDS have tested innovative approaches such as floating solar systems.

These promising approaches will also trigger socio-economic benefits in SIDS.

To make this reality, we must invest in technology transfer and capacity-building.

In this regard, the support of the international community based on genuine partnerships will be essential.

UN-OHRLLS stands ready to do our part.

Through the SIDS Global Business Network (SIDS-GBN) and the SIDS Partnership Framework, I can see how we can help to strengthen the international and private sector partnerships in supporting the energy transition in SIDS.

OHRLLS launched the SIDS-GBN to strengthen private sector engagement in the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and the SDGs.

Both, ocean and renewable energy are included in its seven thematic priority areas.

The upcoming 2020 SIDS-GBN Forum that OHRLLS is organizing together with Palau provides a platform to take these discussions forward.

The Forum, which is set to take place later this year in Palau, also provides the opportunity to consider the strong business case for energy transition in SIDS to stimulate post pandemic recovery.

The GBN Forum will offer a space for governments, investors, and knowledge institutions to explore new opportunities and forge new partnerships for the development of mutually beneficial bilateral business relationships.

Participants will be able to share best practices and support the application of innovative solutions for accelerating up-take of clean and cost-effective renewable energy technologies, including ocean energy.

I thank you and I look forward to including the key takeaways of our discussions here today into our GBN process and beyond.

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Business Network Calls for Scaling Up Ocean Partnerships for Small Island Developing States

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 18:17:00 +0000

fiji_danielle_parryocha_pacific.jpg

The brunt of Cyclone Winston in Fiji in 2016

Danielle Parry/OCHA Pacific

OSLO, 23 October 2019 – Healthy oceans guarantee productive livelihoods, food security and socio-economic benefits for the world’s small island developing states (SIDS). However, these benefits are being severely tested. The oceans today are severely affected by the climate crisis, over-fishing, pollution and biodiversity loss. New and transformative ocean partnerships are urgently required to support SIDS in building their resilience and coping with the challenges they face.

At the Our Ocean conference taking place in the Norwegian capital, the SIDS Global Business Network (SIDS-GBN), an initiative of the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), convened stakeholders to call for the scaling up of ocean related private sector partnerships for SIDS.

President Tommy Remengesau Jr. of Palau opened the event and said:

“Partnerships are key to developing sustainable financial models for ocean conservation. We know that national resources alone will be insufficient to drive the scale of action needed to prepare our countries for climate impacts, but we are still far behind on mobilising adequate financial flows, and establishing their enabling environments.”

Referring to the SIDS-GBN, he stated that the network “. . . has an essential place in driving these partnerships, to match countries and regions with interested and willing partners.”

Also speaking at the event, Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Director of the UN-OHRLLS said “Life on islands is intrinsically linked to the welfare of the oceans. But we are living at a time where both islands and oceans are facing countless challenges. While islanders are having to deal with the consequences, a global response is needed. Within that global response is the role and solutions the business community can bring to the table through partnering with small islands to tackle the ocean related challenges they face.”

SIDS require stronger partnerships and support from the international community for management and effective monitoring of marine protected areas. The Chair of the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCATT), Minister Wallace Cosgrow, shared his country’s experience with the issuing of the world’s first sovereign blue bond, a pioneering financial instrument by the island nation designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects. Blended finance partnerships and innovative business models can offer solutions to overcome the financing gap for marine conservation small island nations face.

2020 is an important year for Oceans. The Second UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon in June, will provide an opportunity to step-up action and develop genuine and durable partnerships with SIDS. Today’s event will inform the way forward in strengthening SIDS partnerships including with the private sector leading up to Lisbon and the 2020 SIDS Global Business Forum to be convened on the margins of the Our Ocean Conference in Palau in October next year.

The event was organised by UN-OHRLLS, the Government of Denmark, Government of Palau, Parley for the Oceans and the World Ocean Council.

Photo: The brunt of Cyclone Winston in Fiji in 2016. Danielle Parry/OCHA Pacific

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Business Forum Strengthens Tourism Partnerships for Small Islands

Anonymous — Tue, 22 May 2018 16:33:00 +0000

Press Release

MAURITIUS, 22 May 2018 – Representatives from governments, private sector, academia, civil society and the United Nations met at a Business Forum held in Mauritius to share best practices and lessons learned in strengthening partnerships for sustainable tourism in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The two-day Small Island Developing States Global Business Network Forum (SIDSGBN) which was held from 21-22 May, 2018 was co-organised by the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for Least Developed countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS). The overarching theme of the forum was “Strengthening private sector partnerships for sustainable tourism development.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Forum, Hon. Minister Prem Koonjoo, Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping of Mauritius said, “We are universally recognised as a prestigious tourist destination with a host of luxury beach hotels classified among the best in the world.” The Hon. Minister welcomed participants to the Forum and he acknowledged that the Forum provides participants the opportunity to exchange experiences and in strengthening partnerships for sustainable tourism in Mauritius.

“Tourism is the mainstay of many island economies and is a vital sector in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth for island communities,” said Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for Least Developed countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. “The focus of the 2018 SIDS Global Business Network Forum on sustainable tourism offers an opportunity to build and foster private sector partnerships for SIDS which are also in line with achieving the SAMOA Pathway, the dedicated programme of action for SIDS, and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Throughout the two days, the forum addressed the linkages between tourism in SIDS with other cross-cutting sectors such as cultural heritage, environment, renewable energy, connectivity, sustainable oceans and finance.

Several partnership announcements were made during the forum including that between Mauritius based Lux Resorts and the Austrian renewable energy company Swimsol to reduce fuel use through increasing the use of solar technology at Lux owned resorts in Maldives. Dutch company Elemental Watermakers, focused on renewable driven desalination systems, announced its commitment to partner with SIDS including with the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) to work together with the private sector of South Pacific SIDS.

Furthermore, the World Ocean Council announced its commitment to partner with UN-OHRLLS in supporting the goals of the SIDS-GBN by bringing together the ocean business community to focus on SIDS. In addition, the Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and SIDS-GBN will collaborate with key national, regional and international partners to promote food tourism across SIDS. A partnership between the Vanilla Islands Organization and the International Coalition of Tourism Partners was also announced and furthermore that the Vanilla Islands Organisation will strengthen information technology and dissemination of information on the Sustainable Development Goals.

The forum has also been aligned to provide substantive inputs to other SIDS related events being convened by the United Nations during the year including the series of regional preparatory meetings for the review of the SAMOA Pathway taking place in the second half of 2018. The regional review meeting for the Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) is being held back-to-back with the business forum and will take place from 23-25 May, 2018 in Mauritius.

The 2018 forum was the third in a series of SIDS private sector fora convened by UNOHRLLS and its partners. The SIDS Global Business Network (SIDS-GBN) was announced in 2014 at the first forum held in conjunction with the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, in Apia, Samoa. In 2016 a forum focusing on Public-Private-Partnerships for SIDS was held in Oranjestad, Aruba.

Media Contact:

Damien Sass, UN-OHRLLS – sass@un.org

For more information:

www.sidsgbn.org
www.unohrlls.org
Media Advisory (SIDS Global Business Network Forum)
Media Advisory (Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) Regional Review Meeting of the SAMOA Pathway)

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Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - SIDS-GBN

Building Blue Economy Partnerships and Pandemic Recovery in Small Island Developing States

fololina_avia_received_help_through_the_small_business_development_project_to_expand_her_lady_edwina_fishing_company_and_stall_at_the_apia_fish_market._asian_development_bank.jpg

Statement at the SIDS Partnership Framework Global-Multi Stakeholder Dialogue

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

10 July 2020 New York, USA

Statement at the Webinar on The Role of the Oceans as a Sustainable Resource

Statement by Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

8 July 2020 New York, USA

Business Network Calls for Scaling Up Ocean Partnerships for Small Island Developing States

fiji_danielle_parryocha_pacific.jpg

Business Forum Strengthens Tourism Partnerships for Small Islands

Press Release

10 July 2020
New York, USA

8 July 2020
New York, USA