SIDS ministerial conference overview and draft programme

Overview

In recognition of the high burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health in SIDS countries, as well as the impact of climate change coupled with the impact of COVID-19 on health and economies in these particularly vulnerable states, the WHO, PAHO and the Government of Barbados are convening ministers from SIDS countries and partner organizations to the SIDS Ministerial Conference to be held 14–16 June 2023 in Barbados. This is a follow on from the SIDS High-level technical meeting on NCDs and mental health held in January 2023, where representatives from SIDS countries discussed the progress and challenges to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 related to NCDs and key recommendations were provided for the subsequent development of a negotiated outcome document. This meeting also serves as a follow up to the virtual WHO SIDS Summit for Health held in July 2021, which urged Member States to strengthen their collaboration and partnership to address development challenges, and as part of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.