Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Small Island Developing States
open-in-new
<p>The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a grouping of <a href="/facts/Developing_country/eTfS4kxl">developing countries</a> which are small <a href="/facts/Island_country/beAg4qWw">island countries</a> and <a href="/facts/Small_states/LLwRThgH">small states</a> that tend to share similar <a href="/facts/Sustainable_development/zGqWBsaK">sustainable development</a> challenges. These include small but growing populations, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility to <a href="/facts/Natural_disaster/cCSK2uH0">natural disasters</a>, vulnerability to external shocks, excessive dependence on <a href="/facts/International_trade/jB2m5TGX">international trade</a>, and fragile environments. Their growth and development are also held back by high communication, energy and transportation costs, irregular international transport volumes, disproportionately expensive public administration and <a href="/facts/Infrastructure/QJvbsSpl">infrastructure</a> due to their small size, and little to no opportunity to create <a href="/facts/Economies_of_scale/gtAYHuNT">economies of scale</a>. They consist of some of the <a href="/facts/Effects_of_climate_change_on_island_nations/7jt6h081">most vulnerable countries</a> to anthropogenic <a href="/facts/Climate_change/rEN4BDE7">climate change</a>. </p><p>The SIDS were first recognized as a distinct group of developing countries at the <a href="/facts/Earth_Summit_(1992)/m43Ql7gs">United Nations Conference on Environment and Development</a> in June 1992. The <a href="/facts/Barbados_Programme_of_Action/tz7c5JlV">Barbados Programme of Action</a> was produced in 1994 to assist the SIDS in their sustainable development efforts. The <a href="/facts/United_Nations_Office_of_the_High_Representative_for_the_Least_Developed_Countries,_Landlocked_Developing_Countries_and_Small_Island_Developing_States/TSh4oydN">United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States</a> (UN-OHRLLS) represents the group of states. </p>