The SIDS are recognized by the UN as a specific priority group of countries. Their small size, remoteness and limited resource bases mean they tend to share a number of unique challenges for sustainable development. The SIDS are also particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and to natural disasters, which may become more frequent and more intense in the future.
Whilst the UN SAMOA (SIDS Accelerated Modalities Of Action) Pathway highlights the importance of science and technology for these countries, science institutions in SIDS countries often have limited capacity. The ISC works to mobilize the scientific community in Small Island Developing States, and to ensure that research on and from the SIDS is brought to the attention of global policy makers.
Small Island Developing States Liaison Committee
The Council’s Small Island Developing States Liaison Committee comprises scientists with diverse experience at the science-policy nexus, each based in different Small Island States around the world. The Committee is consulted on strategic matters, such as mobilizing input from the SIDS scientific community for the UN Decade of Ocean Science in Sustainable Development. Members will also work to bring other matters to the attention of the ISC or its advisory committees, so that representation of the SIDS scientific community is strengthened across the Council’s activities.
Partnerships for the SAMOA Pathway
The ISC engages with the scientific community to implement partnerships within the framework of the SAMOA Pathway. To this end, ISC President-Elect, Peter Gluckman, and Senior Science and Policy Officer, Lucilla Spini, recently presented relevant activities in a webinar for the science community.
SAMOA Pathway High-Level Midterm Review 2019, 27 September 2019
During the 2019 midterm review of the SAMOA Pathway, the ISC coordinated the civil society collective statement, emphasising the importance of the science-policy interface. The statement was delivered by Patrick Paul Walsh, University College Dublin, Ireland – read the statement and watch the full session online here.
Relevant links
Photo: Ryan Harvey.
