Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Fourth Report - The UK Small Island Developing States Strategy
International Development Committee
HC 476
Published 1 May 2024
Recommendations
5
Accepted
Para 28
Advocate as GCF co-chair for policies improving SIDS' access to climate finance
Recommendation
Accessing climate finance from international organisations such as the Green Climate Fund is a challenge for Small Island Developing States. As co-chair of the GCF in 2024, the UK is well-positioned to push for reforms that benefit SIDS. The UK …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees, stating that as co-chair of the GCF, the UK has supported and ensured progress on reforms to improve SIDS' access, including restructuring the Secretariat, streamlining project approvals, and advancing regional presence and accreditation policies for decision in 2025.
6
Accepted
Para 28
Promote simplified application procedures for SIDS' access to GCF resources
Recommendation
The UK Government should use its co-chairmanship of the Green Climate Fund’s board to advocate for policies that will improve SIDS’ access to GCF resources, consistent with the commitments outlined in its 2024–27 Strategic Plan—especially in the area of simplified …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees and, as GCF Co-Chair in 2024, has supported reforms to improve SIDS' access, including streamlining project approval and progressing policies on regional presence and accreditation, in line with the GCF Strategic Plan.
10
Accepted
Explore better representation for SIDS on World Bank and IMF boards
Recommendation
Therefore, in addition to using its own influence within international financial institutions to advocate for reforms that benefit SIDS, the UK Government should also explore how SIDS might be better represented on the World Bank and IMF boards, potentially using …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees and states it will continue to champion greater voice for the lowest income and most vulnerable countries, including SIDS, on the World Bank and IMF Boards.
20
Accepted
Provide annual direct funding to Alliance of Small Island States Secretariat for advocacy work.
Recommendation
The Government should consider providing a small amount of direct funding annually to the Alliance of Small Island States Secretariat to support its work of amplifying SIDS’ collective voice in international fora. The 4th SIDS Conference in May presents the …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it has already provided financial support to the AOSIS Secretariat for several years, including £471,000 in 2023-24, and is currently negotiating the next round of support, though no announcement was made at the 4th SIDS Conference due to the pre-election period.
22
Accepted
Ensure FCDO SIDS approach addresses gendered impacts, promotes equality, and collects disaggregated data.
Recommendation
In its approach to SIDS, the FCDO should ensure that the gendered impacts of SIDS’ environmental and developmental challenges are identified and addressed, and that UK support for SIDS is designed and implemented in a way that considers the impact …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, affirming its commitment to the 80% gender focus target for bilateral aid by 2030, detailing existing support for gender-disaggregated data collection in SIDS, and confirming that the Blue Planet Fund's investment criteria are being refreshed to include a dedicated gender equality criterion.
26
Accepted
Implement domestic climate leadership opportunities outlined in Climate Change Committee's 2024 Briefing Note.
Recommendation
This Committee urges the Government to implement the next steps on domestic opportunities for climate leadership outlined in the Climate Change Committee’s January 2024 Briefing Note. (Paragraph 80) The UK Small Island Developing States Strategy 45
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation to implement the Climate Change Committee's advice, stating it will deliver an updated plan with full policy detail for net zero by 2037 and provide further details to the UN by February and lay them before Parliament.
Conclusions (6)
3
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 25
We recognise that there could be risks in moving towards the use of vulnerability- based measures in determining ODA eligibility. However, such a move is necessary for ensuring that vulnerable SIDS have the opportunity to access UK aid. It will remain for individual donor countries to determine where the need …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that current ODA processes for SIDS require improvement and is using its influence within the OECD to advocate for strengthened processes that better incorporate SIDS' vulnerabilities, while also supporting the development of a multidimensional vulnerability index.
9
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 36
As a major shareholder of the World Bank and IMF, the UK is well-placed to take the lead in advocating for governance reforms that secure better representation for SIDS on these bodies. While this Committee recognises that better board representation would not guarantee that SIDS would enjoy seamless access to …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees it is championing the priorities of vulnerable countries, including SIDS, at international financial institutions and will continue to champion greater voice for them on the World Bank and IMF Boards.
15
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 49
The issues of legal statehood and maritime zone continuity provide the UK Government with an opportunity to exercise international leadership in supporting SIDS to address an existential threat.
Government Response Summary
The government partly agrees, demonstrating its international leadership by changing its position on fixed maritime zones and publishing a statement, while actively considering the continuity of statehood and supporting relevant research through its £110+ million CLARE programme.
19
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 61
We commend the UK’s active support for SIDS’ collective action and international advocacy. However, SIDS’ inter-regional co-operation remains underdeveloped and under-resourced.
Government Response Summary
The government partly agrees, responding by detailing its financial support to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) over several years, including £471,000 in 2023-24, and is currently arranging the next round of support to aid SIDS' collective action.
21
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 69
Given the disproportionate impact of SIDS’ environmental and economic challenges on women and girls, it was disappointing to see no explicit mention of gender in the UK SIDS Strategy.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the disproportionate impact on women and girls, stating it prioritises a gender-responsive approach to SIDS programmes, commits 80% of bilateral aid to gender equality by 2030, and is updating Blue Planet Fund criteria to strengthen gender focus.
25
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 80
This Committee is concerned that the UK Government’s domestic policies are making it difficult for the UK to be seen as a serious partner to SIDS—the countries likely to be hit hardest by a failure of the international community to meet the agreed target to limit global warming to 1.5 …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the importance of climate action, detailing its commitment to increasing domestic climate ambition through targets like delivering clean power by 2030 and reducing emissions by 81% by 2035, arguing these efforts enhance its climate leadership.