Foreword
The 2021 edition of the UNCTAD Development and Globalization: Facts and Figures is dedicated to Island Developing States (SIDSsmall island developing States (SIDS) were recognized as a distinct group of developing countries at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.
More information on UNCTAD official page.) as their contributions and vulnerabilities will be key aspects of the discussions during our upcoming UNCTAD 15 Conference hosted by Barbados.
This focus is further warranted as 2020 was a particularly challenging year for SIDS. In the wake of the COVID-19Infectious disease caused by the strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 discovered in December 2019. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes a coronavirus disease called COVID-19. pandemic, many SIDS experienced a larger decline in GDPGross domestic product (GDP) than other developing countries. In addition of being a public health threat, the crisis and its related international travel restrictions and social distancing measures affected the lifeblood for many small island economies: tourismTourism refers to the activity of visitors -—
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—-. International tourism expenditure is often approximated by the sum of travel services and transport of passengers, reported under balance of payments statistics (see Trade in services). Transport of passengers not considered, tourism represents a subset of travel, as some travelers, such as border-workers, travel for regular work, as they are holding employment contracts outside their usual residential environment. Activities of border-workers and similar travelers do not belong under tourism. -—
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While SIDS are a diverse group of countries, they share many socioeconomic and environmental challenges. SIDS are highly vulnerable to external economic and financial shocks, at least 35 per cent more than other developing countries. The small size of their economies leaves little room for diversification and the creation of economies of scale. Many SIDS are also heavily dependent on international trade, especially the import of manufactured goods. Their commodity dependence and overreliance on a few export destinations render them vulnerable to global price fluctuations and changes in aggregate demand.
In 2014, the international community agreed on a clear vision for the sustainable development of small islands, embodied in the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) PathwaySIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway is an international framework that was developed as the outcome of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS Conference) held on 1-4 September 2014 in Apia, Samoa -—
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owever, much action is needed to implement the SAMOA Pathway’s priorities on debt sustainability, concessional financing, investment, trade, and climate change adaptation. Thus far, much of the disaster response has been on a short-term emergency basis, rather than long-run development planning. This challenges the development prospects of SIDS.
This report offers a unique statistical approach to SIDS by combining a wide variety of statistical information to examine SIDS from the perspectives of trade, the economy, the environment and society. The report also illustrates UNCTAD’s long history and expertise in supporting SIDS in their development aspirations.
I hope that the report will serve as a useful statistical and analytical tool for the SIDS themselves and for all those interested in understanding these islands.
Isabelle Durant
Acting Secretary-General of UNCTAD