FAO Statement at the HLPF 2025 Session on Small Island Developing States: Strategies for SDG success

FAO Statement at the HLPF 2025 Session on Small Island Developing States: Strategies for SDG success

Angélica Jácome, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York

16/07/2025

Small Island Developing States are among the most vulnerable countries in the world. They are facing a convergence of challenges: increasing intensity and frequency of climate shocks, rising sea levels, limited arable land and freshwater resources, and high dependence on imported food. Over 70 percent of the population in SIDS lives in coastal areas, leaving communities and agrifood systems dangerously exposed to hurricanes, saltwater intrusion, and flooding.

Agriculture, fisheries, and forests-the backbone of rural livelihoods-are under intense pressure. In many SIDS, more than 80 percent of food is imported, driving up costs and weakening local food production. At the same time, transport and infrastructure constraints raise the cost of both importing food and exporting local products, limiting competitiveness and deepening food insecurity. The cost of a healthy diet in SIDS is among the highest globally, and one in five people still face moderate or severe food insecurity.

In this context, FAO plays a critical role in transforming agrifood systems. We support SIDS in developing and implementing national strategies that are tailored to their unique geographies, economies, and vulnerabilities. This includes policy advice, technical assistance, and investment planning-anchored in data and science.

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative, which uses advanced geospatial modeling to target investments in areas with the highest potential for transformation, is now active in over a dozen SIDS. Our Blue Transformation agenda supports the sustainable development of aquatic food systems-vital for SIDS, where fish accounts for over 50 percent of animal protein intake and offers huge potential for value chain development and export earnings.

At the same time, FAO promotes innovation across sectors: climate-smart agriculture, digital technologies for farmers, and frontier research-including microbiome science-to enhance productivity and sustainability. In many SIDS, post-harvest food loss reaches up to 30 percent, especially in perishable commodities. Reducing this loss is essential to improving food availability and lowering costs.

FAO is also working to unlock finance for smallholders and rural entrepreneurs. We promote better targeting of public investment, while also engaging private and blended finance to scale up impact. Strengthening partnerships-with governments, civil society, research institutions, and the private sector-is essential to building resilience and ensuring no one is left behind.

In closing, the path to SDG success in SIDS runs through transformed agrifood systems-ones that are productive, sustainable, climate-resilient, and nutrition-sensitive. FAO remains fully committed to supporting SIDS in building this future-one that nourishes people, sustains ecosystems, and leaves no one behind.