Closing Ceremony for 2014 International Year of Small Island Developing States

The International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) highlighted both the challenges that this group of countries face but also the solutions that they bring to the table to address pressing global issues with a key issue being climate change. It also celebrated the rich culture and heritage of these countries.

The event will feature a video with highlights of the year, a cultural performance and a panel discussion on the way forward for SIDS. It is also expected to include remarks by the President of the General Assembly, Under-Secretary-General Wu Hongbo, the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, and the Champions of the International Year of SIDS.

Discussions, workshops, an exhibition, tweetathon, google hangout, photo competition, cultural celebrations and other activities were organized in the course of the year. The vibrant and distinct cultures of these islands, and their diversity and heritage, were important elements throughout.

One of the highlights of the year was the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, which took place from 1-4 September in Apia, Samoa. Disaster and climate risks are the special concern of SIDS and were featured at the conference, especially on SIDS positions on the integration of disaster and climate risk management in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Priority areas of the conference included climate change and disaster risk management; water and sanitation, food security and waste management; sustainable economic development; oceans, seas and biodiversity; sustainable energy; social development in SIDS, Health and NCDs, youth and women.

At the Conference nearly 300 partnerships between governments, businesses and civil society organizations from all over the world were registered to support small island developing states, bringing the total value of these commitments to over USD $1.9 billion. The Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action – or SAMOA Pathway – in which countries recognize the need to support and invest in these nations so they can achieve sustainable development, was also adopted at the Conference. A dedicated exhibition to highlight the International Year, was organized at the Samoa Conference with photos of the world heritage sites based in small island developing states, Magnum photos depicting people and lives of small island States, as well as literatures by authors from small islands.