UK Small Island Developing States Strategy

International Development Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 18 Apr 2023 Closed: 23 May 2024 Parliament page
Report and Government response published The House of Commons International Development Committee calls for the FCDO urgently to make a long-term commitment to SIDS. It says the UK Government must not allow funding or political support for SIDS to be de-prioritised, even in an era of multiple and growing global … Read more
14 Recommendations
12 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
2 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 10 events
13 Jan
2025
Report published
1 May
2024
Report published
23 Apr
2024
Correspondence
23 Apr
2024
Correspondence
24 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
24 Oct
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
5 Sep
2023
Oral evidence
5 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
18 Jul
2023
Oral evidence
18 Jul
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
24 Oct 2023
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UK Small Island Developing States Strategy
Cletus Springer · Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) UnaMay Gordon · Climate Change, Government of Jamaica
5 Sep 2023
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UK Small Island Developing States Strategy
Alisi Rabukawaqa · International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Christopher Pearce · National Oceanography Centre Jeremy Raguain · Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) and AOSIS Fellow Kristal Ambrose · Bahamas Plastic Movement (BPM) Martin Chong · Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme, Pacific Community-SPC Vinzealhar Nen · 350.org
18 Jul 2023
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UK Small Island Developing States Strategy
Emily Wilkinson · ODI Jean-Paul Adam · Office of the Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary General
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fourth Report - The UK Small Island Developing States Strategy HC 476 1 May 2024 26 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
12 results
Clear
3 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
Vulnerability-based measures are necessary for SIDS to access UK ODA
We recognise that there could be risks in moving towards the use of vulnerability- based measures in determining ODA eligibility. However, such a move is necessary for ensuring that vulnerable SIDS have the opportunity to access UK aid. It will … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that current ODA processes for SIDS require improvement and is using its influence within the OECD to advocate for strengthened processes that better incorporate SIDS' vulnerabilities, while also supporting the development of a multidimensional vulnerability index.
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
Advocate as GCF co-chair for policies improving SIDS' access to climate finance
Accessing climate finance from international organisations such as the Green Climate Fund is a challenge for Small Island Developing States. As co-chair of the GCF in 2024, the UK is well-positioned to push for reforms that benefit SIDS. The UK … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating that as co-chair of the GCF, the UK has supported and ensured progress on reforms to improve SIDS' access, including restructuring the Secretariat, streamlining project approvals, and advancing regional presence and accreditation policies for decision in 2025.
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
Promote simplified application procedures for SIDS' access to GCF resources
The UK Government should use its co-chairmanship of the Green Climate Fund’s board to advocate for policies that will improve SIDS’ access to GCF resources, consistent with the commitments outlined in its 2024–27 Strategic Plan—especially in the area of simplified … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and, as GCF Co-Chair in 2024, has supported reforms to improve SIDS' access, including streamlining project approval and progressing policies on regional presence and accreditation, in line with the GCF Strategic Plan.
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9 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
UK positioned to advocate for SIDS' representation on World Bank and IMF boards
As a major shareholder of the World Bank and IMF, the UK is well-placed to take the lead in advocating for governance reforms that secure better representation for SIDS on these bodies. While this Committee recognises that better board representation … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees it is championing the priorities of vulnerable countries, including SIDS, at international financial institutions and will continue to champion greater voice for them on the World Bank and IMF Boards.
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
Explore better representation for SIDS on World Bank and IMF boards
Therefore, in addition to using its own influence within international financial institutions to advocate for reforms that benefit SIDS, the UK Government should also explore how SIDS might be better represented on the World Bank and IMF boards, potentially using … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states it will continue to champion greater voice for the lowest income and most vulnerable countries, including SIDS, on the World Bank and IMF Boards.
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15 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
Legal statehood issues offer UK leadership opportunity for Small Island Developing States.
The issues of legal statehood and maritime zone continuity provide the UK Government with an opportunity to exercise international leadership in supporting SIDS to address an existential threat.
Government Response
The government partly agrees, demonstrating its international leadership by changing its position on fixed maritime zones and publishing a statement, while actively considering the continuity of statehood and supporting relevant research through its £110+ million CLARE programme.
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19 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
SIDS' inter-regional co-operation remains underdeveloped and under-resourced despite UK support.
We commend the UK’s active support for SIDS’ collective action and international advocacy. However, SIDS’ inter-regional co-operation remains underdeveloped and under-resourced.
Government Response
The government partly agrees, responding by detailing its financial support to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) over several years, including £471,000 in 2023-24, and is currently arranging the next round of support to aid SIDS' collective action.
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20 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
Provide annual direct funding to Alliance of Small Island States Secretariat for advocacy work.
The Government should consider providing a small amount of direct funding annually to the Alliance of Small Island States Secretariat to support its work of amplifying SIDS’ collective voice in international fora. The 4th SIDS Conference in May presents the … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has already provided financial support to the AOSIS Secretariat for several years, including £471,000 in 2023-24, and is currently negotiating the next round of support, though no announcement was made at the 4th SIDS Conference due to the pre-election period.
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21 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
UK SIDS Strategy disappointingly lacks explicit mention of gender impacts on women and girls.
Given the disproportionate impact of SIDS’ environmental and economic challenges on women and girls, it was disappointing to see no explicit mention of gender in the UK SIDS Strategy.
Government Response
The government agrees with the disproportionate impact on women and girls, stating it prioritises a gender-responsive approach to SIDS programmes, commits 80% of bilateral aid to gender equality by 2030, and is updating Blue Planet Fund criteria to strengthen gender focus.
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22 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
Ensure FCDO SIDS approach addresses gendered impacts, promotes equality, and collects disaggregated data.
In its approach to SIDS, the FCDO should ensure that the gendered impacts of SIDS’ environmental and developmental challenges are identified and addressed, and that UK support for SIDS is designed and implemented in a way that considers the impact … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, affirming its commitment to the 80% gender focus target for bilateral aid by 2030, detailing existing support for gender-disaggregated data collection in SIDS, and confirming that the Blue Planet Fund's investment criteria are being refreshed to include a dedicated gender equality criterion.
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25 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
UK domestic policies undermine credibility as serious partner to vulnerable SIDS countries.
This Committee is concerned that the UK Government’s domestic policies are making it difficult for the UK to be seen as a serious partner to SIDS—the countries likely to be hit hardest by a failure of the international community to … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the importance of climate action, detailing its commitment to increasing domestic climate ambition through targets like delivering clean power by 2030 and reducing emissions by 81% by 2035, arguing these efforts enhance its climate leadership.
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26 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The UK Small Islan…
Implement domestic climate leadership opportunities outlined in Climate Change Committee's 2024 Briefing Note.
This Committee urges the Government to implement the next steps on domestic opportunities for climate leadership outlined in the Climate Change Committee’s January 2024 Briefing Note. (Paragraph 80) The UK Small Island Developing States Strategy 45
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation to implement the Climate Change Committee's advice, stating it will deliver an updated plan with full policy detail for net zero by 2037 and provide further details to the UN by February and lay them before Parliament.
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Government Response AI assessment · 26 of 14 classified
Accepted 12
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 2
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 3
Rejected 2
Total 14 recs + 12 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
23 Apr 2024 Correspondence from the Minister for Development & Africa relating to the Committee visit to Dominica and SIDS Conference - 25 March 2024
Parliament page
23 Apr 2024 Correspondence to the Minister for Development & Africa relating to the Committee visit to Dominica and SIDS Conference - 8 March 2024
Parliament page