The Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), taking place from 1 to 4 September in Apia, Samoa, is focusing the world’s attention on a group of states and territories that have unique challenges for sustainable development owing to their small size, limited resource base and exposure to natural disasters.
The theme of the conference, “Sustainable development of SIDS through genuine and durable partnerships”, underscores the importance of a multisectoral approach to innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges experienced by SIDS. Participating in the conference is UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Jan Beagle, who will share UNAIDS’ perspective on how diverse partnerships have transformed the AIDS response and will highlight the linkages between HIV and many key issues on the conference agenda, such as noncommunicable diseases and gender inequality.
The conference’s draft outcome document, the SIDS accelerated modalities of action pathway, includes a commitment from member states to support SIDS in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV
