Overview

SIDS in the AIMS region all face numerous challenges in terms of economic development, social justice and environmental preservation, and have sought to overcome such challenges by expanding development in various socio-economic sectors most appropriate to them. Many are among the poorest countries in the world. They have, nevertheless, developed and strengthened National Strategies and Plans to drive the processes of sustainable development eradicate poverty and improve the livelihoods of people through enhancing resilience and capacity to address their unique and particular vulnerabilities.

However, in the last couple of years, the global energy, food and financial crises have slowed the progress. Progress towards the MDG goals, because of the economic crisis, is now threatened by sluggish, even negative economic growth as a consequence of diminished resources, fewer trade opportunities and aid flows from donor countries.

It is recognized that the greatest natural threat to sustainable development is climate change and sea level rise. Other constraints and challenges have hampered the sustainable development of the region. Over the past five years, the implementation of sustainable development activities has slowed down due to a reduction in aids flows from donor nations. Furthermore, many countries suffer from lack of qualified man power and poor institutional capacity. Brain drain has further exacerbated this problem. As a result, several countries in the AIMS region are facing great difficulties in implementing the various conventions and agreement they have ratified. The increase frequency of natural disasters such as flooding, drought and more intense cyclones, as a consequence of global warming, has further impeded progress.