The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) DOCK project held its first meeting for the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea (AIMS) region, the final meeting in a series of regional SIDS DOCK meetings.
The meeting agreed upon and finalized discussions on programmatic and operational issues including climate, energy and water and financing mechanisms in SIDS.
1 August 2013: The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) DOCK project held its first meeting for the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea (AIMS) region, the final meeting in a series of regional SIDS DOCK meetings. The meeting agreed upon and finalized discussions on programmatic and operational issues including climate, energy and water and financing mechanisms in SIDS.
SIDS DOCK is an initiative developed by SIDS to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, and to contribute towards sustainable development in SIDS, with support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank.
Participants in the AIMS meeting discussed mainstreaming SIDS DOCK in regional and international sustainable energy initiatives, and developing renewable energy resources as a strategy to address water issues. Antero Veiga, Minister of Environment, Housing and Territorial Planning, Cape Verde, highlighted challenges faced by SIDS in increasing their renewable energy. He said Cape Verde aims to increase its penetration rate from 25 to 100% by 2020 to reduce fossil fuel imports, reduce electricity production operating costs and ensure energy security. Vince Henderson, the Permanent Representative of Dominica to the UN, recommended that SIDS take collective action to respond to climate change threats and reduce their fossil fuel reliance.
The meeting, which took place from 24-27 July 2013, in Sao Vincente, Cape Verde, aimed to finalize a feasibility assessment on the long-term sustainability of SIDS DOCK and mechanisms including the National Financing Mechanism, Virtual Knowledge Network, Revolving Fund, Innovation Fund and Capacity Building Programme. Over 50 participants attended the meeting, including delegates from Cape Verde, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and São Tomé and Príncipe, and representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UNDP and the World Bank. [Government of Mauritius Press Release] [SIDS DOCK Website] [IISD RS Story on Pacific SIDS DOCK Meeting]