INTRODUCTION:
Small island developing states (SIDS) face unique vulnerabilities and development
challenges, based largely on their remote geography, small landmasses, limited
populations and vulnerability to climate change and other external shocks.
The 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development first
recognised SIDS as a special case in development. Since then, a number of
international agreements have called for specific action in support of SIDS.

OBJECTIVE:
While the above-mentioned agreements and frameworks
recognise the situation of SIDS and offer analysis and
guidance to support SIDS’ development efforts, there is
a need to further highlight and prioritise areas of focus
for development co-operation in SIDS and to articulate
how the existing principles of effective development
co-operation (EDC) can be applied to the SIDS context
to maximise the impact of co-operation support.
Following an extensive consultation process with
representatives of SIDS and with development
co-operation providers, this document aims to
complement and build on existing agreements
and frameworks, by providing concrete and
actionable advice to development stakeholders,
with the aim of accelerating inclusive, green, and
sustainable development in SIDS. Nothing in this
document is meant to be prescriptive or binding.

Section 1 of this document identifies a number of
priority areas for intervention. The list presented
is not meant to be exhaustive but rather focuses on
areas of collective action that can have an accelerator
effect on development across sectors and regions.
Section 2 of this document explores how development
co-operation can ensure results and maximise the
impact of every dollar.
Each sub-section ends with a high-level list of proposed
actions. The primary audience for this document is
development partners, with proposed actions attempting to highlight areas in which partners can focus their
support. However, it is important to note that SIDS
governments have the unique responsibility to lead
whole-of-society development efforts. As such, it is
expected that proposed actions will only be taken
under the overall direction of SIDS and will build on
ongoing country efforts.
Further, SIDS have an essential role to play in putting
in place the policy and institutional arrangements that
allow development efforts to succeed. This includes:
ensuring strong political leadership; leading planning
processes; reducing bureaucratic hurdles and clarifying
government processes; creating an enabling environment
for the engagement of diverse stakeholders; and
ensuring coordination of all development efforts.
It is important to note that while many SIDS face
common challenges, there is significant variation among
these countries in terms of population size, population
density, geographical makeup, and natural resources.2
These variations call for context-specific approaches
that are adapted to the needs of a particular countries.
As such, the guidance provided herein may need to be
adjusted to better respond to specific country needs.

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