The SIDS Centre of Excellence is now riding a wave of momentum and the stage is now set for a major opening at its country headquarters in Antigua and Barbuda.

The CoE received significant attention during high-level week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, with a number of events shining light on the benefits it will bring to the sustainable development of small island states.

The SIDS Global Data Hub will play a pivotal role as one of the key pillars of the CoE. It is envisioned to be a game changer in providing island nations with centralized access to critical data they need in making informed policy decisions and in securing crucial financing to help them achieve resilient and sustainable development.

Major and influential partners were provided a strategic overview of the Data Hub on the penultimate day of High-Level week at the UN General Assembly during an event Hosted by Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon. Gaston Browne, Chair of AOSIS, the President of Palau’s Surangel Whipps Jr., the Pvblic Foundation and the SDG Data Alliance.

Both Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Walton Webson and his Palau counterpart, Ilana Victoray Seid, were singular in their support and declared that the SIDS Global Data Hub represents a transformative tool that will bring considerable benefits to island nations as they navigate the climate crisis and advocate for their unique vulnerabilities.