In a landmark move during the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), leaders of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) issued a historic declaration advocating for the recognition of the ‘Special Circumstances of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)’ as a principle of international law. Established in 1990, the 39-member alliance emphasized the urgent need for global acknowledgment of the unique challenges faced by small island nations, spanning the Caribbean, Pacific, African, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea regions. The declaration builds on long-standing efforts to address issues such as climate change, economic vulnerability, and environmental risks through international policies and frameworks. Dominica’s President, H.E. Sylvanie Burton, echoed these sentiments in her UNGA speech, calling for greater autonomy and support for small island territories. The declaration calls for concrete legal, financial, and institutional actions, including easier access to non-debt-creating financial aid, meaningful participation in global decision-making, and protection from disproportionate environmental and economic risks. Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. highlighted the importance of recognizing these vulnerabilities, stating that treating small islands like larger nations undermines their ability to thrive and contradicts the international community’s pledge to leave no one behind. Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño expressed strong support, calling the declaration a powerful affirmation of SIDS’ unique challenges. AOSIS leaders are urging the UN, international organizations, and financial institutions to integrate these principles into global frameworks, particularly those addressing climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and ocean governance. The declaration warns that failure to act could weaken fairness, undermine international efforts, and limit small islands’ participation in global decision-making.
Small islands seek big changes; AOSIS urges legal application of SIDS’ special circumstances
