World leaders from Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) in the Pacific have been invited to take part in a forum to promote local ideas to boost the achievement of agriculture, food, environment and health especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.    

The S.I.D.S. Solutions forum is scheduled for 30 – 31 August 2021. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (F.A.O.) has also invited world leaders from S.I.D.S. in the African, Indian Ocean and Caribbean, as well high-level participants from donors and S.I.D.S. friendly countries and heads of global organizations.  

Hundreds of public policy makers and practitioners, community leaders, farmers, entrepreneurs, private sector stakeholders are also invited to register.

The forum is being convened virtually by F.A.O. in partnership with the International Telecommunications Union (I.T.U). The Government of Fiji is the co-host.

In addition, the forum creates a space for government leaders, development partners, farmers, fishers, community development practitioners and leaders, entrepreneurs, women and youth to discuss, share, promote and encourage home-grown and imported solutions to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and several of those that pre-existing the pandemic.

The ultimate goal is to accelerate the achievement of the agriculture; food and nutrition related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in S.I.D.S.

According to the F.A.O. Coordinator of the Subregional Office, based in Samoa, Xiangjun Yao, innovation and digitalization have, together, become an important driving force for rural and agri-food systems transformation.

“They’ve created new opportunities for farmers and rural people,” said Yao in a F.A.O. statement. 

“But our global food systems continue to face considerable challenges in being able to produce sufficient, safe, nutritious and healthy food in a sustainable manner to feed an ever-growing population. Small Island Developing States, or SIDS, in particular, share these challenges. 

“The good news is that digital technologies offer unique opportunities for improving food production and trade, especially to smallholder farmers, and can help to achieve food and nutrition security and poverty alleviation globally as well as for S.I.D.S.

“That’s why this Forum is so important – it will provide an opportunity to learn from each other and regain momentum to reach the SGD targets by 2030,” Yao added.

Furthermore, F.A.O. has stated that the challenges posed by COVID-19 are no secret, but they also present an opportunity for innovation and creativity in efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition for all. This is where the SIDS Solutions Forum can play a leading role.

“While COVID-19 has impacted lives and livelihoods the world over, S.I.D.S. countries have been especially hit hard. 

“Many economies that relied heavily on tourism were forced to close their borders, losing badly needed revenue."