Background

For the last thirty years, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has served as a key partner for SIDS working in all three SIDS regions to provide support to tackle environmental issues, as well as support in protecting important habitats and biodiversity. As part of this workshop, participants will seek to undertake a review of GEF support to SIDS whilst also outlining recommendations on how this support can be strengthened and more aligned to the priorities of the new SIDS Programme of Action – the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) and the new GEF 9 replenishment cycle.

Workshop Objectives

• To strengthen the impact of GEF funded SIDS projects at both the regional and interregional level

• To increase knowledge and awareness of the needs of SIDS, in particular the priorities adopted by GEF: The Blue Economy, Integrated Resource Management from Ridge-toReef, Protected Areas, and Climate Resilience

• To collectively learn from each other and gain exposure to knowledge within and between the regions linked to GEF objectives

• To solicit input on the two-fold assessment that will inform the development of the SIDS Hub, including a stakeholder-driven assessment of needs, gaps, and priorities of the SIDS GEF IW project community and other focal area projects

Learning Goals

• Increased awareness of the new SIDS Programme of Action – Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS)

• Better understanding of existing SIDS platforms

• Potential SIDS priorities that could be integrated into the GEF 9 replenishment cycle.

Target audience

The workshop targeted project staff and key stakeholders, including implementing and executing agency staff, government officials and civil society partners working on GEF-funded SIDS projects from the three SIDS regions (Pacific, Caribbean, and Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions).

Cover photo by Hugh Whyte / Ocean Image Bank