FAO.org

With an approximate 16.1%¹ of the world’s total exclusive economic zone (EEZ) surrounding them (averaging 28 times¹ the country’s land mass), Small island developing states (SIDS) face several challenges. And although SIDS are the most reliant on ocean economy sectors, they only capture a small fraction of the global value-added from the ocean economy².

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) account for the majority of businesses worldwide including SIDS, and make a significant contribution to economic growth and job creation. Still, MSMEs in SIDS face great difficulties such as accessing financial resources, identifying market opportunities and adopting technology.

Addressing SIDS challenges and supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SAMOA Pathway requires building sound and durable partnerships that combine the interests and resources of multiple national and international stakeholders. Among these, the private sector partnerships can be built in an equitable and accountable manner for sustainable ocean development in SIDS.

In a recent publication, Private Sector Partnerships in Small Island Developing States, the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) lists the SVC4SIDS project as an example of a highly participatory and collaborative project aligning with the SAMOA Pathway Themes and SDG 14 Targets.  

  See the publication extract 

^1.UN-OHRLLS, 2021

^2.OECD, 2020