Statement
Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
I have the honor to deliver the following statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset, allow me to congratulate both of you on your appointment as Co-Facilitators of the intergovernmental process on the review of the arrangements contained in General Assembly resolutions 75/290 A and B and their annexes, as well as for convening today’s informal consultation to hear the views and ideas of Member States on issues related to this review process. Please be assured of AOSIS’ constructive engagement and cooperation.
We also thank you for the guiding questions posed in your joint letter dated 2 February 2026. This comes at an important moment of reflection, given that it has been almost five years since our last efforts to strengthen the Economic and Social Council and the high-level political forum on sustainable development, and only four years remaining to achieve the sustainable development goals.
As such, AOSIS approaches this process as a continuation of our past discussions and collective efforts to strengthen the prevailing intergovernmental structures of ECOSOC and the role of the HLPF so that they can more effectively fulfil their mandates in support of the achievement of sustainable development.
Our focus remains on continuity, respect for existing mandates and accelerating implementation.
Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
AOSIS recalls the commitment to strengthen the work of ECOSOC as a principal organ for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on issues of economic and social development, recognizing its key role in achieving a balanced integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development. At the same time, we recall that the HLPF has a central role in overseeing a network of follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda at the global level and that the Forum is held under the auspices of both ECOSOC and the General Assembly.
For this reason, ECOSOC and the HLPF should be closely coordinated to ensure that their interconnected and interlinked work is coherent and mutually reinforcing in supporting the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Their distinct but complementary roles and mandates must be preserved and taken into account throughout this review process.
Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
AOSIS emphasizes that ECOSOC’s effectiveness and impact can be further strengthened through the full exercise of its unique role as a Charter body.
In 2021, Member States undertook an extensive exercise that resulted in the current organizational calendar and segment structure of ECOSOC. Therefore, our focus should be on reinforcing the deliberative function of ECOSOC; strengthening its focus, coherence and efficiency; and enhancing coordination across its segments, forums and subsidiary bodies.
Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
With only four years remaining until 2030, AOSIS reiterates that the HLPF must continue to serve as a platform for dialogue, experience-sharing and review of best practices in the implementation of the SDGs, as well as the relevant Programmes of Action for the respective groups of countries in special situations.
The HLPF must allow for a thorough consideration of issues pertaining to the SDGs under review, building on contributions from the regional forums on sustainable development, so that, at the conclusion of the exercise, there is a real sharing of knowledge, identification of best practices, and concrete action to accelerate implementation.
Importantly, in keeping with General Assembly resolution 67/290, the HLPF must continue to be the main and only officially designated forum for the discussion and follow-up of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) development issues and challenges.
In this regard, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS calls the annual SIDS segment of the HLPF convened under ECOSOC to be used to review annually progress against commitments in the ABAS that are aligned with the SDGs under review.
For these reasons, AOSIS does not support any attempt or proposal to consolidate or merge the dedicated SIDS segment with the sessions for African countries, LDCs, LLDCs and middle- income countries.
We have already noted with concern that the time allocated for the long-standing dedicated segment for SIDS specifically has diminished over time. With the adoption and implementation of the ABAS, it is even more crucial that the HLPF devote adequate time to SIDS-specific discussions, to ensure that none of us is left behind.
Distinguished Co-Facilitators,
In conclusion, AOSIS will engage constructively, through the G77 and China, throughout the intergovernmental process.
I thank you.
