4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SIDS – SIDS4_27-30 MAY, 2024 - ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Cabo Verde will be hosting two side events in partnership with UNESCO and United Nations Country Team in Cabo Verde, respectively, during SIDS4.

Culture in the SIDS Programme of Action 2024-2034 |Youth-Decision makers Panel discussion

The proposed side event aims to advocate for culture as a strategic component of SIDS development prospects, including within the SIDS Programme of Action 2024-2034. The 90-minute panel will bring together high-level policymakers, including the Minister of Culture of Cabo Verde, as well as youth ambassadors. 

The discussion will be structured in three successive segments covering SIDS subregions (AIS, Caribbean, and Pacific) with a view to highlight a diversity of perspectives and priorities.

In order to ensure meaningful participation of the youth in formulating their aspirations, a social media challenge will be launched ahead of the side event in April 2024, inviting youth to express their worldviews and perspectives, and to shape new ideas and innovative approaches to advance sustainable development through culture. The outcomes of a study on Cultural Policies in SIDS developed by UNESCO in 2023-2024, with/including funding from the European Union, will be presented during the side event, informing the discussion while also outlining practical recommendations for follow-up, to be taken forward by Member States and partner organizations.

SDG Localization Tailored for SIDS

The Government of Cabo Verde, in collaboration with the Local2030 Coalition, the United Nations Country Team in Cabo Verde, and other partners, are co-organizing this side event with the purpose to discuss and exchange ideas on how to improve the impact, efficiency and scale of SDG localization in SIDS countries and territories, by adapting the SDG localization approach to capture the specific circumstances of SIDS. SDG localization is a critical means of implementation to achieve at least three of the five thematic areas of the SIDS4 side events dialogues: building effective institutions for a resilience future, investing in human capital, and revitalizing economies. 

This side event aims to foster greater collaboration that can pave the way to accelerate SDG localization in SIDS countries. The event will gather representatives from SIDS countries, partners, local governments, and international entities supporting SDG localization efforts. The event will help to spotlight practices, initiatives, and solutions from efforts on the ground, and to channel greater SDG financing towards SIDS to accelerate localized efforts for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.