UN- What does it take to turn a global promise into real change on the ground for island communities facing rising seas, fragile economies and climate shocks? On 12 December, the answer took shape at UN Headquarters, as governments, youth, business, civil society and the United Nations came together for the 2025 Global Multi-Stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue.
Held one year into the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS), UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua stressed in his opening remarks that a whole-of-society approach is essential: “This broad approach to collaboration is not optional; it is essential. SIDS face complex and intersecting challenges — from climate impacts and economic shocks, to demographic pressures, biodiversity loss, and the persistent effects of global inequities. These challenges cannot be addressed by Governments alone. They demand coordinated action, innovative thinking, and a shared commitment to results.”
USG Mr. Li further pointed to a new feature introduced by UN DESA at this year’s Dialogue – the SIDS Partnership Labs – collaborative spaces for exploring solutions in areas central to ABAS implementation. A total of seven Labs were convened in the margins of the Dialogue by governments, UN entities and stakeholders, exploring topics ranging from higher education, science and technology, renewable energy, blue investments, resilient agrifood systems, civil society collaboration and data justice.
The Dialogue featured a multi-stakeholder panel that examined how partnerships can become more innovative, inclusive and results-oriented to mobilize resources and action in support of ABAS, followed by the 2025 SIDS Partnership Awards ceremony recognizing partnerships delivering positive results across the three dimensions of sustainable development:
- Environment: Climate Change Adaptation in the Caribbean: The EbA-Facility, supporting ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation across Caribbean SIDS.
- Economic: SIDS Pooled Procurement Program, enabling African SIDS to aggregate demand for essential medicines and achieve major cost savings.
- Social: ASTA Joint UN Programme – Elevating Indigenous Pineapple Farming, a multi-UN agency initiative to support indigenous and tribal pineapple farmers in Suriname.
UN DESA launched the 2025 SIDS Partnership Brief, to further showcase the work of winners and finalists offering practical, scalable examples of partnerships in support of ABAS implementation.
The Dialogue underscored strong political commitment to translating ABAS into tangible action. In the plenary segment, statements were delivered by several groupings, including the Alliance of Small Island States, the European Union, and Pacific SIDS, alongside national statements by Australia, Barbados, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom. In addition, INTERPOL, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the OECD delivered powerful statements, reinforcing the importance of a whole-of-society approach in advancing sustainable development for Small Island Developing States.
For more information: 2025 Global Multi-Stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue
