Committee Description

The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) takes place in Antigua in May 2024, with a focus on securing the future and long-term viability of small island nations, some of the most vulnerable countries in the world. Though the 39 SIDS collectively represent less than one percent of the global population, they face disproportionate challenges, particularly due to climate change and limited economic resilience. At SSUNS 2025, this committee explores strategies to strengthen these nations by addressing both immediate concerns and long-term sustainability. Delegates work to develop forward-looking policies centered on resilience-building, economic diversification, and self-sufficiency to safeguard these communities for generations to come.

Tourism continues to serve as a major economic pillar for many SIDS, at times contributing over half of national GDP. However, the current model of tourism is often unsustainable and highly vulnerable to environmental changes, signaling an urgent need to rethink and redesign how tourism supports island economies. Delegates examine ways to adapt tourism industries in a way that fosters environmental stewardship, economic stability, and long-term sustainability.

SIDS frequently struggle with underrepresentation in global decision-making forums, despite being among the most affected by pressing global issues such as climate change, rising sea levels, and global trade policy. Ensuring that these nations have a stronger, more consistent voice on the international stage is essential to advancing equitable and inclusive global governance. This committee considers what structural and diplomatic mechanisms can help amplify SIDS' influence in the global arena.

Many small island nations also face the risk of climate-induced displacement, with communities forced to migrate due to sea-level rise, extreme weather, and resource depletion. Delegates explore the humanitarian, legal, and cultural implications of climate migration, while also considering how to protect and revitalize island-based communities that remain. Preserving cultural heritage, social cohesion, and human dignity in the face of climate threats remains a key focus of the committee’s work.