Island Innovations - UNDP and GEF: Leveraging the Environment for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Abstract

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been widely recognised by the international community as a special case for sustainable development. Each of these islands and low-lying countries, primarily located in the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, has its own national circumstances. Collectively though, SIDS and their citizens share many development challenges. The economic, social and environmental issues faced by SIDS communities are interrelated and strongly influenced by external global processes. The particular characteristics of the SIDS' development setting are important for understanding the context in which SIDS determine their national priorities and for identifying best practices and coordinated strategies to achieve their development objectives.