Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, delivered a strong plea at the Summit of the Future, calling for urgent global action to tackle the existential threats faced by small island developing states (SIDS).

Speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Mata’afa highlighted the stark reality of climate change, debt, and economic instability as key challenges that small nations can no longer afford to face alone.

“Small island developing states are not mere dots on a map. We are vibrant symphonies of life, rich with history and culture, whose resilience and courage stand as a testament to both the beauty and fragility of our world,” Mata’afa told the international community. “Yet, our stories are tinged with urgency.”

Mata’afa stressed that the fate of the world’s smallest and most vulnerable nations is tied to the broader global effort to address climate change. 

She called for decisive and immediate action, urging world leaders to move beyond rhetoric.

“The challenges faced by small island developing states are not isolated; they are intertwined with our global destiny. If we save the smallest and most vulnerable among us, we save the world,” she said, emphasising that multilateralism is key to finding solutions.

She stressed the urgent need to fully implement the Paris Agreement, pointing to the devastating effects of climate change on SIDS, including coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and increasingly severe weather.

“For SIDS, coastal erosion, severe weather events, and rising sea levels are not distant concerns. They are an immediate and severe reality. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the risks; we must act decisively.”

Mata’afa called for more investment in climate adaptation and resilience infrastructure, the sharing of technology, and capacity-building initiatives.

She also emphasised that financial resources must be directed to the countries that need them the most, as many small island nations struggle to secure the support required to cope with the escalating climate crisis.

In addition to climate threats, Mata’afa highlighted the economic hardships faced by SIDS.

“SIDS are often left adrift to face global uncertainty amidst a swelling tide of debt, economic fluctuations, and external shocks,” she said.

She called for reform in global financial governance, particularly in how it relates to small island states, which are frequently trapped in cycles of debt.

Mata’afa advocated for debt relief, access to concessional financing, and the use of the multidimensional vulnerability index to help SIDS recover and stabilise their economies.

“We must champion transforming global governance, including the reform of the international financial architecture, to correct deeply entrenched imbalances,” she said.

The Samoan leader also spoke about the potential of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to address some of the challenges facing SIDS, but noted that these innovations have not been accessible to all.

“It has become abundantly clear that artificial intelligence and digital technologies can be a game changer in solving our common challenges. Yet, significant barriers continue to persist for SIDS in harnessing its full potential,” PM Mata’afa said.

She called for international efforts to ensure that SIDS can bridge the digital divide, unlock new opportunities for growth, and drive digital transformation. 

The Prime Minister pointed to the SIDS Centre of Excellence as an initiative that could help small islands harness the power of digital innovation.

“The future we envision, enshrined in the Pact for the Future, must be one where no one is left behind,” she said.

Mata’afa’s call for action echoed the broader concerns of small island states worldwide, urging global leaders to turn promises into actions and safeguard the world’s most vulnerable nations.

“The actions we take now will determine the future of our common humanity. Let us ensure that small island developing states are not merely heard but are actively supported to realise our own aspirations,” PM Mata’afa said.

This story was written by Pita Ligaiula, originally published at PACNEWS on 24 September 2024.