New York, United States -23 September 2023: The Heads of State and Government of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), met in New York on 22 September on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

President Wavel Ramkalawan presently in New York leading the Seychelles delegation represented Seychelles at the AOSIS High-level meeting. Small Island developing States continue to champion responses that account for their particular needs and circumstance. 

While there is greater appreciation in the international community, specific SIDS solutions have yet to be effectively implemented.  Critical interrelated processes and discussions are underway that will result in outcomes of pivotal importance to the Alliance of Small Islands States.

In this context the Samoa Prime Minister, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa in her capacity as the Chair of the AOSIS convened the meeting for a high-level discussion on the critical process that lie ahead.  Core areas of discussion included the 4th SIDS Conference in 2024, which will adopt a new 10 year Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States, the reform of the international financial architecture, including the immediate and critical step of adopting and operationalizing the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) and the Climate COP28 in December, which will finalize and operationalize and adopt a deceleration that will provide political direction in shaping the outcomes. 

Addressing the floor, President Ramkalawan’s intervention during the high-level dialogue focused predominantly on Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). 

“Seychelles acknowledges the progress made so far, and commends the dedication, commitment and efforts that have gone towards conceptualising and developing a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). While great strides have been made, we must however be frank and admit that as it stands, the (interim) MVI Report does not necessarily respond to our needs as SIDS. We note the complexities of our individual vulnerabilities - while some vulnerabilities will apply to all such as freshwater resources, sanitation services, others, such as regional conflict and refugees etc., will only apply to some countries.

We acknowledge the need to give each due consideration as there is no doubt of the negative impacts they have on our respective nations.  On the other hand, we must also ensure that no SIDS areleft at a disadvantage due to the different weight of the various indicators. For example, on the basis of the indicators used during the pilot study, Seychelles has one of the highest Economic vulnerability rating due to a high dependency on exports.

Whereas for environment and social indicators, we have one of the lowest ratings based on geographical location outside the cyclone belts and limited flooding. However, the fact remains that all SIDS are inherently vulnerable to climate change and global crises” stressed President Ramkalawan. 

Following discussions the proposed AOSIS Leaders’ Declaration was adopted followed by closing remarks by the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa and Chair of the Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS).