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SIDS4: President Ramkalawan delivers Keynote address at SIDS DOCK Dialogue and Signs Joint Declaration between SIDS DOCK, Austria and UNIDO

Antigua and Barbuda, 29th May 2024:  The President of the Republic of Seychelles Mr. Wavel Ramakalawan earlier this week delivered a Keynote address during the SIDS DOCK High-level meeting organized as a side event on the margins of the Fourth Small Island Developing States International Conference  (SIDS4) at the American University of Antigua. President Ramkalawan was speaking in his capacity as the President of the Seventh Session of the SIDS DOCK Assembly (AIS Region).

In his address Mr Ramkalawan highlighted the importance of climate financing support, which is paramount in ensuring proper infrastructure enabling energy security, reduction of emissions and a boost for the economy.

In his cogent statement the President outlined the burden faced by the small island states, calling upon the international financing community and stakeholders for their support. “Without your support, our efforts to prevent an energy crisis and promote sustainable growth may falter, leaving our young generations at risk and prosperity out of reach,” said the President.

Mr. Ramkalawan urged the stakeholders to recognize the critical role innovating financing has in securing a sustainable future for SIDS. ‘’Let us embrace the potential of ocean energy and strengthen our international partnership”.

President Ramkalawan also attended the SIDS DOCK IWON Committee Reception hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade & Energy for the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica & Patron for the IWON, Honorable Dr. Vince Henderson, LPD, MP, where he signed the Joint Declaration between SIDS DOCK, Austria and UNIDO.

UNIDO and the SIDS DOCK Secretariat, along with Austria, signed a "Joint Declaration" to establish a 10-year partnership promoting SIDS conference objectives. The declaration aims to align with the Barbados Programme of Action, the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation, the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action, and the upcoming Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.

Also present at the reception was the Secretary General for Commonwealth, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMeiA) Mr. Nikolaus Marschik, the Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Mr. Gerd Müller and various other distinguished guests.