FAO statement at HLPF session on Small Island Developing States: Strategies for SDG Success

The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) otherwise known as ABAS represents an ambitious set of commitments to address the multiple challenges faced by SIDS from, among others, more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and economic shocks that affect food security and nutrition. Its successful implementation demands coordinated efforts, led by SIDS, where each entity brings their best offer.

FAO's work in SIDS is anchored in its Strategic Framework 2022-2031, aligned with the ABAS, and is structured around seven pillars.1

Underpinning FAO's efforts in SIDS is our evidence-based approach coupled with multidisciplinary expertise, embedded our strategic vision and integrated into our field-level engagement in SIDS.

Within our Analytical Support Mechanism for Agrifood System Country Programming and Evidence (SCOPE) initiative, FAO established a specific SIDS team to provide data and analyses starting from a compressive diagnostic of the country's agrifood systems to the identification of root causes, binding constraints, and leverage points, and lastly, offering policy and investment options that take into account trade-offs and risks. Triggered by the UN Common Country Analyses (CCA) and UN Sustainable Development Country Frameworks, SCOPE is a concrete example of FAO's contribution to support Members with the required expertise and evidence to support system-wide coordination and drive transformation.

1 Enhancing sustainable production and domestic food supply; promoting healthy diets produced by sustainable agrifood systems; strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to shocks; optimizing value chains, trade and markets; driving structural transformation through science, technology and innovation; building a data-driven enabling environment; and catalysing sustainable financing and partnerships.