Distinguished Co-Chairs,

I have the honor to deliver the following statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small
Island States (AOSIS).

At the outset, allow me to express the Group’s gratitude for your tireless efforts and
leadership in guiding the work of the Steering Committee. We deeply appreciate
the consultative process that you have carried out to collect inputs and ideas from
Member States, the UN System, civil society and other relevant stakeholders on
strengthening the SIDS Partnership Framework.

On this occasion, AOSIS recognizes the importance of the Partnership Framework,
and the role of the Steering Committee, in driving meaningful, effective and durable
partnerships for SIDS. The Framework, established under the SAMOA Pathway,
remains an important tool in mobilizing partnership-driven solutions, and will be a
key pillar in ensuring the full implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda
for SIDS (ABAS).

Therefore, Distinguished Co-Chairs, as we look towards the next nine years of
implementation, we stress the importance of a strengthened Framework that
delivers on its mandate to ensure the implementation of pledges and commitments
through partnerships, identify new opportunities to advance SIDS’ sustainable
development and ensure the full implementation of the ABAS.

In this regard, turning to the recommendations, AOSIS appreciates the broad
spectrum of ideas and proposals that have been presented. We have noted, with
keen interest, recommendations that aim to strengthen the Steering Committee,
build further Secretariat support for SIDS partnerships, and strengthen the SIDS
Global Business Network and its Forum.

At the same time, many of the proposals require further elaboration and clarity as
we aim to build a strengthened Framework that will deliver on our goal to achieve
resilient prosperity. In this regard, allow me to make the following broad points.
First, it is important that the strengthened Framework supports the mandate set
forth in resolution 70/202, which operationalized the Framework and set out the
role of the Steering Committee. While we are open to exploring how engagement
in the Framework can be improved, it is equally important to maintain the
intergovernmental nature of the Steering Committee.

Second, we have noted that many of the recommendations propose to create or
establish new mechanisms, funds, events or platforms. For AOSIS, it is important
to ensure that such proposals are considered carefully and do not duplicate or
replace existing mechanisms or initiatives. In fact, we would be cautious about
creating a complex ecosystem that becomes challenging for SIDS to navigate or
spread limited resources too thin. It would also be useful to leverage existing
platforms, such as the recommendation to coordinate the SIDS Global Business
Network Forum with the Island Investment Forum, for example.

Lastly, it is imperative that the SIDS Partnership Framework retains its focus on
fostering partnerships to implement the ABAS. While we recognize that linkages or
synergies may exist with other processes or outcomes, the mandate for the
Framework remains focused on the achieving the intergovernmentally agreed
commitments in the ten-year programme of action. In this regard, while we see
value in the SIDS Civil Society Action Plan and Roadmap, it ought not to be treated
equally with the ABAS.

In closing, Distinguished Co-Chairs, AOSIS once more expresses its gratitude for
your efforts in steering the consultative process on strengthening the Partnership
Framework. The recommendations give us a good basis for further reflection and
food for thought.

We look forward to further refinement of these proposals by the
Secretary-General in his annual report on the implementation of the ABAS to be
issued later this year, as well as our subsequent negotiations within the Second
Committee.

Please continue to count on AOSIS’ constructive engagement in this exercise
towards a strengthened Framework.

I thank you.