Next week, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will be in Antigua and Barbuda for the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4). The conference, taking place from 27-30 May 2024, aims to establish a bold new programme of action to support the sustainability and safety of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) over the next decade.

A delegation of experts led by Secretary-General Scotland will advocate for the interests of the Commonwealth’s 33 Small States, 25 of which are SIDS. They aim to amplify the concerns and needs of these nations, particularly SIDS, by addressing critical challenges such as the climate crisis, access to climate finance, biodiversity loss, and spiralling debt through practical and impactful solutions.

“The Commonwealth stands in solidarity with our Small States, and at SIDS4, we are committed to championing their needs. The path forward requires collective action, innovative solutions, and a shared commitment to reform. The Commonwealth is poised to lead this charge, leveraging our unique position to advocate for the needs of our small states on the global stage,” said Secretary-General Scotland.

The Secretary-General will deliver a plenary speech during the SIDS4 conference, and the Commonwealth team will actively participate in various events, including the SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit and the SIDS Global Business Network Forum. 

Highlights of the Secretary-General’s speaking engagements include:

• Tuesday, 28 May, 12:00-13:30 (Antigua and Barbuda time): Side event on ‘Harnessing Digital Economy in Asia and Pacific’
• Tuesday, 28 May, 14:00-15:30 (Antigua and Barbuda time): Side event on ‘By the SIDS, for the SIDS: Next Decade of Action on NCDs and Mental Health’
• Wednesday, 29 May, 10:00-11:30 (Antigua and Barbuda time): Side event on‘Building Resilient Economies for a Common Future’
• Thursday, 30 May, 11:00-13:00 (Antigua and Barbuda time): Interactive Dialogue on ‘Investing in Human Capital: Addressing Health Crises in Small Island Developing States and Building the Potential of Youth in Small Island Developing States’

To see the full list of the Commonwealth delegation’s activities, visit our regularly updated webpage featuring press releases, expert blogs, side event details and relevant news.

One-to-one interviews:

To request one-to-one press interviews, either in-person or virtually, with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC please contact: Rena Gashumba ([email protected])

Notes

• The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states. Our combined population is 2.5 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under.
• The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-three of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
• The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights. Our work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
• Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.
• The Commonwealth admitted Gabon and Togo as its 55th and 56th members respectively at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2022. Prior to this, Rwanda was the last country to join in 2009.
• For more information and regular updates about Commonwealth activities and initiatives, subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

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