The Vatican Representative Msgr. Robert Murphy urged developed nations to cancel their debt to support the small poor islands and their resilience and development in the face of climate and environmental crises. He was addressing the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Holy See has called for increased efforts from developed nations to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) build resilience in the face of increasing climate and environmental challenges and achieve their sustainable development goals by cancelling their debt.
“Debt cancellation is not just a matter of economic or development policy, but a moral imperative rooted in the principles of justice and solidarity,” said Msgr. Robert Murphy on Tuesday.
The Vatican representative was addressing the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) taking place in Antigua and Barbuda from 27 to 30 May under the theme “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity.”
The SIDS comprise 37 UN member nations and 20 associate members of UN regional commissions and has been meeting every ten years since 1994 to address shared issues and concerns.
Small Island nations are today in the crossfires of multiple crises including climate change and biodiversity loss, the economic and social repercussions of COVID-19, and debt crisis. The pandemic hugely impacted all these countries, especially those dependent on tourism, while climate action is becoming increasingly urgent, as weather-related disasters have doubled in two decades with island nations both most vulnerable and least responsible.
The four-day event held by the UN and attended by world leaders, representatives from the private sector, civil society, academia and youth aims to assess the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants have reviewed SIDS’ sustainable development progress and have agreed a new programme of action with a focus on practical and impactful solutions, and to forge new partnerships and cooperation at all levels in the next decade.