The document is a Call to Action for building resilient infrastructure in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which face devastating losses from extreme weather—up to 226% of GDP.
It outlines the urgent need for disaster resilient coastal infrastructure, which is often unaffordable due to high debt and limited resources. Three expert groups identified barriers in finance, standards, and data.
Key solutions include launching a SIDS Global Data Hub, ensuring 100% early-warning coverage by 2030, developing SIDS-specific design codes, digitizing standards enforcement, and tying finance to resilience compliance.
The action plan also calls for creating resilience units in finance ministries, streamlining accreditation, and building skilled local workforces. The vision is for all SIDS to achieve resilient infrastructure by 2034 through localized standards, open data, and blended finance.
Key points
- Extreme weather erased 226% GDP in some island nations.
- Resilient infrastructure is essential, not optional, for SIDS survival.
- Finance systems must adapt to meet SIDS infrastructure needs.
- Localized building codes should reflect island-specific hazards and capacities.
- Unified data platforms improve planning, alerts, and investment readiness.
- Tie concessional finance to certified resilient infrastructure compliance standards.