At the High Level Political Forum 2017, the Maldives, on behalf of the Alliance for Small Island States (AOSIS), delivered interventions highlighting the priorities and vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The Maldives spoke on behalf of AOSIS during the interactive discussions of SDG1 on poverty eradication, SDG 3 on health and well-being, SDG 14 on oceans and seas, and on the progress for SIDS in the SAMOA Pathway. The Maldives also delivered an intervention in its national capacity at the interactive session SDG5 focusing on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Discussion pertaining to SAMOA Pathway, the Outcome of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, focused specifically on the challenges continuing to face SIDS. Key issues raised by delegations, including Maldives, included climate change, the degradation of our oceans and seas. Additional critical concerns included the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in SIDS, and food security and nutrition.
The High Level Political Forum, held on an annual basis, is the forum that serve as a follow up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 17 Sustainable Development Goals at New York. It runs from 10 to 14 July 2017, with its High Level Segment running from 17 to 20 July.