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Permanent Missions of Australia, Samoa and Portugal to the United Nations
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For SIDS, the ocean is the source of both vulnerability, and immense development potential. For example, the ocean creates the remoteness which can isolate SIDS and is a source of natural hazards such as erosion, harmful algal blooms, flooding, tsunamis, and sea level rise which can lead to devastating shocks. On the other hand, while SIDS are not homogenous and have diverse economic structures, sustainable exploitation and management of the living and non-living resources in large exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of SIDS are the key to their development. Through these EEZs, SIDS control about 30% of all oceans and seas, and an increasing number of SIDS are self-identifying as “large ocean states” to include the massive ocean areas and resources within their jurisdiction. Accordingly, SDG14, which is under review at this HLPF, is deeply significant to SIDS, and offers critical actions to address vulnerability, including targets on reducing marine pollution, ending overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and implementing UNCLOS. Importantly, it also includes a specific target for SIDS: By 2030, increase the economic benefits to SIDS and LDCs from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.
The 2030 Agenda and SDGs are interconnected and indivisible. An integrated approach is critical to “leave no one behind”. This side event will explore SDG14 as an enabler of all 17 SDGs, and as a critical factor in addressing SIDS unique vulnerability. The event will also explore how oceans can best be considered under current work to finalize a multidimensional vulnerability index for SIDS.
