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Excellencies, colleagues,

It is a pleasure to join this important conversation on our collective efforts to support the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).

UNOPS provided extensive assistance to the development of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS 2024-2034 including in the design of these new institutional mechanisms and of the underpinning partnerships.

Many of the consultations that led to these innovative support services such as the Center of Excellence, the Global Data Hub and the Debt Sustainability Support Services have benefitted from the support of UNOPS and its commitment to a better future for SIDS.

As an organization that is mandated to provide project services and build national capacities, UNOPS understands the importance of access to technology and know-how and to sustainable financing to enable SIDS further development and timely adaptation to climate change.

As soon as the Center of Excellence is operational, UNOPS stands ready to engage in areas of its mandate and assist SIDS in adopting valuable tools for infrastructure modeling and development and for sustainable management of infrastructure assets. Some of these tools have been designed in partnership with the University of Oxford, UNEP and UNDESA and can assist SIDS to build resilient physical systems in energy, transport, water, communications, health and other sectors. Similarly, training in sustainable procurement could be provided to all SIDS requesting such assistance.

In response to the UN General Assembly's call on the international community and the multilateral organizations to test and identify best use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) and the request that the UN Secretary-General report back at the 79th UNGA, UNOPS intends to utilize the MVI framework for context analysis in its future projects including for climate-resilient infrastructures and also work with the Advisory Board of the Santiago Network to explore ways in which the MVI can inform monitoring of Loss & Damage.

To enable a fruitful collaboration, UNOPS will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States committing to work closely with all SIDS in addressing priorities reflected in the ABAS 2024-2034 and falling within UNOPS's mandate.

We stand with the SIDS on the journey to building a resilient, sustainable and inclusive future.