Island Freshwater Resilience – SIDS cooperation with UNESCO

Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) are at the forefront of climate change. Strengthening their resilience has been a priority for UNESCO for more than 30 years. On the UN General Assembly’s day dedicated to SIDS, UNESCO and the governments of Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, and Vanuatu are organizing this side-event to the SAMOA PATHWAY High-Level Midterm Review 2019.

High-level government representatives and water experts focus on SIDS’ specific needs and challenges regarding water quality, wetland conservation and water availability in these vulnerable territories. The resilience of SIDS depends on multi-stakeholder commitments to cooperative action among governments, scientists and local populations.

The event is designed to be a panel discussion between Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Heads of State, the Director General of UNESCO, and some international freshwater experts including regional networks, a scientist and a community knowledge holder.