By Rodney Reynolds
A United Nations report expects a sustained rebound in tourism to improve the economic prospects for small island developing States (SIDS), leading to GDP growth from 2.4 per cent in 2023 to 3.3 per cent in 2024. However, SIDS remain vulnerable to spikes in international commodity prices due to their high import dependency on essential goods. Frequent extreme weather events and high public debt also pose significant challenges.
“The SIDS outlook for 2024 is promising, but we mustn’t get complacent,” said Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary-General of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, to be held in Antigua and Barbuda on 27–30 May 2024.
“We need to think differently about our support to SIDS, mindful of their unique vulnerabilities. Through more effective…
