View source for Small Island Developing States

{{Short description|Developing countries that are small island countries}}

[[File:SIDS map en.svg|thumb|350px|Map of the Small Island Developing States]]

The '''Small Island Developing States''' ('''SIDS''') are a grouping of [[developing country|developing countries]] which are small [[island country|island countries]] and [[small states]] that tend to share similar [[sustainable development]] challenges. These include small but growing populations, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility to [[natural disaster]]s, vulnerability to external shocks, excessive dependence on [[international trade]], and fragile environments. Their growth and development are also held back by high communication, energy and transportation costs, irregular international transport volumes, disproportionately expensive public administration and [[infrastructure]] due to their small size, and little to no opportunity to create [[economies of scale]]. They consist of some of the [[Effects of climate change on island nations|most vulnerable countries]] to anthropogenic [[climate change]]. 

The SIDS were first recognized as a distinct group of developing countries at the [[Earth Summit (1992)|United Nations Conference on Environment and Development]] in June 1992. The [[Barbados Programme of Action]] was produced in 1994 to assist the SIDS in their sustainable development efforts. The [[United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States]] (UN-OHRLLS) represents the group of states.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States {{!}} |url=https://www.un.org/ohrlls/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=United Nations |language=en}}</ref> 

== List of SIDS ==
As of 2023, the [[United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States]] (UN-OHRLLS) lists 57 such [[nation]]s (39 [[sovereign state]]s and 18 [[dependent territory|dependent territories]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of SIDS {{!}} Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States |url=https://www.un.org/ohrlls/content/list-sids |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=United Nations}}</ref> These nations are grouped into three geographical regions: the [[Caribbean]];<ref>{{cite web|title=The Caribbean|url=http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1522|publisher=UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs |website=Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform |access-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203071849/http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1522 |archive-date= Feb 3, 2014 }}</ref> the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]];<ref>{{cite web|title=The Pacific|url=http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1523|publisher=UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs |website=Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform |access-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203071840/http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1523 |archive-date= Feb 3, 2014 }}</ref> and [[Africa]], [[Indian Ocean]], [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] and [[South China Sea]] (AIMS),<ref>{{cite web|title=The AIMS|url=http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1521|publisher=UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs |website=Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform |access-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203071845/http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1521 |archive-date= Feb 3, 2014 }}</ref> including 18 Associate Members of the United Nations Regional Commissions. Each of these regions has a regional cooperation body: the [[Caribbean Community]], the [[Pacific Islands Forum]], and the [[Indian Ocean Commission]] respectively, which many SIDS are members or associate members of. In addition, most (but not all) SIDS are members of the [[Alliance of Small Island States]] (AOSIS), which performs lobbying and negotiating functions for the SIDS within the [[United Nations System]]. 

{|class="wikitable"
!style="background:#00C5CD;" |<big>Caribbean</big>
!style="background:#66CD00;" |<big>Pacific</big>
!style="background:#CD8500;" |<big>Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS)</big>
|-
|width="250"|{{AIA}}{{efn|name=note3|1 = Neither member nor observer of the Alliance of Small Island States}}{{efn|name=note4|1 = Associate member of regional cooperation body}}{{efn|name=note7| 1 = [[Dependent territory|Dependent territories]]}}
|width="250"|{{ASA}}{{efn|name=note7}}{{efn|name=note2|1 = Observer of the [[Alliance of Small Island States]]}}{{efn|name=note6| 1 = Neither member nor observer of regional cooperation body}}
|width="250"|{{Flag|Cape Verde}}{{efn|name=note6}}
|-
|{{ATG}}
|{{COK}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|{{COM}}{{efn|name=note1| 1 = Also a [[least developed countries|least developed country]]}}
|-
|{{ARU}}{{efn|name=note7}}{{efn|name=note8| 1 = Observer of the Alliance of Small States as part of the Netherlands Antilles|group=}}{{efn|name=note5| 1 = Observer of regional cooperation body}}
|{{FIJ}}
|{{GNB}}{{efn|name=note6}}{{efn|name=note1}}{{efn|name=non-island}}
|-
|{{BAH}}
|{{PYF}}{{efn|name=note3}}{{efn|name=note4}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|{{MDV}}{{efn|name=note5}}
|-
|{{BAR}}
|{{GUM}}{{efn|name=note7}}{{efn|name=note2}}{{efn|name=note6}}
|{{MRI}}
|-
|{{BIZ}}{{efn|name=non-island|1=[[Belize]], [[Guinea-Bissau]], [[Guyana]], and [[Suriname]] are included even though they are not island countries. This may be because they are low-lying coastal countries whose economies are dependent on a small number of activities. Their classification as SIDS is controversial.<ref>{{cite web |title=What makes a SIDS a SIDS – UNCTAD Development and Globalization: Facts and Figures 2021 |url=https://dgff2021.unctad.org/unctad-and-the-sids/ |access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref>}}
|{{KIR}}{{efn|name=note1}}
|{{STP}}{{efn|name=note6}}
|-
|{{Flag|Bermuda}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|{{MHL}}
|{{SEY}}
|-
|{{VGB}}{{efn|name=note3}}{{efn|name=note4}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|{{Flag|Micronesia}}
|{{SIN}}{{efn|name=note6}}
|-
|{{Flag|Cayman Islands}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|{{NRU}}
|
|-
|{{CUB}}{{efn|name=note6}}
|{{Flag|New Caledonia|local}}{{efn|name=note3}}{{efn|name=note4}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Curaçao}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|{{NIU}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|
|-
|{{DMA}}
|{{MNP}}{{efn|name=note3}}{{efn|name=note7}}{{efn|name=note6}}
|
|-
|{{DOM}}{{efn|name=note5}}
|{{PLW}}
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|-
|{{GRN}}
|{{PNG}}
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|-
|{{Flag|Guadeloupe|local2}}{{efn|name=note9| 1 = [[Overseas departments and regions of France]]}}
|{{SAM}}
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|-
|{{GUY}}{{efn|name=non-island}}
|{{SOL}}{{efn|name=note1}}
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|-
|{{HAI}}{{efn|name=note1}}
|{{TLS}}{{efn|name=note3}}{{efn|name=note1}}{{efn|name=note5}}
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|-
|{{JAM}}
|{{TGA}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Martinique|local}}{{efn|name=note9}}
|{{TUV}}{{efn|name=note1}}
|
|-
|{{MSR}}{{efn|name=note3}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|{{VAN}}
|
|-
|{{PUR}}{{efn|name=note3}}{{efn|name=note7}}{{efn|name=note5}}
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|
|-
|{{SKN}}
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|
|-
|{{LCA}}
|
|
|-
|{{VIN}}
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|
|-
|{{Flag|Sint Maarten}}{{efn|name=note7}}
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|
|-
|{{SUR}}{{efn|name=non-island}}
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|
|-
|{{TRI}}
|
|
|-
|{{Flag|Turks and Caicos Islands}}{{efn|name=note7}}
|
|
|-
|{{Flag|U.S. Virgin Islands}}{{efn|name=note7}}{{efn|name=note2}}{{efn|name=note6}}
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|
|}
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

== Impacts of climate change ==
{{Main|Effects of climate change on small island countries}}

[[File:2014 Small Island Developing States meeting in Samoa.jpg|thumb|right|350px|3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States, Samoa, September 2014]]

The SIDS are some of the regions most [[climate change vulnerability|vulnerable to anthropogenic climate change]]. Due to their oceanic environment, SIDS are especially vulnerable to the marine [[effects of climate change]] like [[sea level rise]], [[ocean acidification]], [[marine heatwave]]s, and the [[Tropical cyclones and climate change|increase in cyclone intensity]]. Changing precipitation patterns could also cause [[drought]]s. Many citizens of SIDS live near a coastline, meaning that they have a high risk exposure to the effects of marine climate change. Additional climate change vulnerability comes through their economies: many SIDS have economies that are based on natural resources, such as ecotourism, fishing, or agriculture. Phenomena like sea level rise, [[coastal erosion]], and severe storms have the potential to severely impact their economies.<ref name="Thomas">{{Cite journal |last1=Thomas |first1=Adelle |last2=Baptiste |first2=April |last3=Martyr-Koller |first3=Rosanne |last4=Pringle |first4=Patrick |last5=Rhiney |first5=Kevon |date=2020-10-17 |title=Climate Change and Small Island Developing States |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |language=en |volume=45 |issue=1 |pages=1–27 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-083355 |issn=1543-5938 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

In addition to these vulnerabilities, the energy sector in SIDS faces unique challenges and opportunities, particularly in the least-electrified regions. According to the March 2024 [[International Renewable Energy Agency|IRENA]] report, "Small Island Developing States at a Crossroads: Towards Equitable Energy Access in Least-Electrified Countries," these states, which contribute less than 1% to global [[greenhouse gas emissions]], are exploring decentralized [[renewable energy]] solutions to address their energy access issues. Technologies such as [[Gasification|biomass gasification]], [[Small hydro|small-scale hydro]], and [[Photovoltaic system|solar PV]] not only offer paths to reduce their [[carbon footprint]] but also enhance resilience against climate impacts. The report highlights case studies from [[Guinea-Bissau]], [[Papua New Guinea]], and [[Vanuatu]], showing significant [[Socioeconomics|socio-economic]] benefits from improved energy access, including increased income opportunities for rural women and reduced indoor [[air pollution]]. These advancements are crucial as they not only provide immediate relief but also contribute to long-term sustainability and resilience against future climate challenges."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=Small Island Developing States at a Crossroads: Towards equitable energy access in least-electrified countries |url=https://www.irena.org/Publications/2024/Mar/SIDS-at-a-Crossroads-Towards-equitable-energy-access-in-least-electrified-countries |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.irena.org |language=en}}</ref>

== Sustainable Development Goals ==
Small island developing states are mentioned in several of the [[Sustainable Development Goals]].<ref name=":17">United Nations (2017) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 6 July 2017, [[:File:A RES 71 313 E.pdf|Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development]] ([https://undocs.org/A/RES/71/313 A/RES/71/313])</ref> For example, Target 7 of [[Sustainable Development Goal 14]] ("Life below Water") states: "By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism".<ref name=":172">United Nations (2017) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 6 July 2017, [[:File:A RES 71 313 E.pdf|Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development]] ([https://undocs.org/A/RES/71/313 A/RES/71/313])</ref>

Several Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Palau and Orkney,{{clarify|reason=Orkney is not a developing state|date=July 2025}} have launched renewable energy initiatives to improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels; Palau has set a target of transitioning to 45% renewable energy by 2025, while Orkney is expanding its use of tidal turbines to create a 50 MW array.<ref name=":SIDS2024">Vishwakarma, S., & Tyagi, R. (2024). Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Practices in Small Island Nations. 1st International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and Artificial Intelligence (SESAI), IEEE. [https://doi.org/10.1109/SESAI61023.2024.10599436 doi:10.1109/SESAI61023.2024.10599436]</ref>

==See also==
*[[2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference]]
*[[Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States]] (OACPS)
*[[Group of 77]]
*[[Islands First]] (environmental organization)
*[[Landlocked developing countries]]
*[[List of island countries]]
*[[Alliance of Small Island States]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commonscatinline|Small Island Developing States}}
*[https://en.unesco.org/sids/about About SIDS, United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States]
*[https://www.un.org/ohrlls/content/list-sids List of SIDS] United Nations, Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
*[https://unctad.org/topic/small-island-developing-states/mandate-on-SIDS United Nations Mandates and Resolutions on SIDS]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080924080147/http://www.sidsnet.org/aosis/members.html AOSIS Members, Alliance of Small Island States]
*[https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/small-island-states-in-the-pacific-the-tyranny-of-distance-26253 Chris Becker, ''International Monetary Fund'', 'Small Island States in the Pacific: the Tyranny of Distance?']

{{South-South}}
{{UNFCCC negotiating groups|state=expanded}}

[[Category:1992 establishments]]
[[Category:Small Island Developing States| ]]
[[Category:Geography]]
[[Category:International development]]
[[Category:Island countries|+]]
[[Category:Politics of climate change]]