Esteemed colleagues
Our discussion today is particularly important, in light of the current transformative moment of the UN agenda, with important events and conferences and processes, which are redefining the priorities and the functioning of mechanisms on which small island developing countries rely.
Just recently, at UNOC3, Italy submitted 13 voluntary commitments, aimed at the protection and sustainable use of the ocean and seas for a total amount of 115 million euros.
Italy remains committed to the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.
As we said, first of all, it is essential that the means of implementation that we will device together are responsive to the specific needs and the specific circumstances of SIDS. Indeed, vulnerability must not just be a recognition of fragility: it should rather be assessed to provide more support to build resilience. The MVI is one such support measures.
Second, partnerships are crucial, as well as blended finance, and a renewed commitment by countries in a position to do so to raise the ambition of our carbon neutrality goals.
Third, we heard SIDS calls during the FFD4 negotiations. We must do more to integrate the climate and development agenda.
Coming to climate finance, Italy is committed to do its part. The Italian Climate Fund with a 4.4 billion Euro budget and its revolving nature is currently the biggest of this kind.
Besides financing, the cultural and creative sector remains a priority for the diversification of SIDS’ economies. In this regard, we must identify solutions and innovations that are tailored to the realities of SIDS and aligned to objectives such as social equity, environmental protection and long-term prosperity.
Italy is accompanying the ABAS process and implementation, also through our longstanding multi-bilateral partnerships frameworks with the Pacific SIDS and CARICOM – the Caribbean one, that have been operating since 2015, and which we have recently updated and broadened in scope, to make them in line with ABAS.
I thank you.
