Resilient Prosperity for All: Lessons from Small Island Developing States

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) stand at the forefront of the global effort for sustainable and inclusive development. Their experiences, documented in the Secretary-General’s 2025 report on the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, offer powerful lessons for the world as it prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, 4–6 November 2025). 

From climate adaptation in Cuba’s coastal communities to renewable energy transitions in the Pacific, and youth empowerment programmes in the Caribbean, SIDS are demonstrating that inclusive, sustainable development is both possible and transformative when it aligns with people’s needs and rights. 

Yet their journey also underscores the systemic challenges the international community must confront, deep structural vulnerabilities, unequal access to finance, and exposure to multiple shocks. The development of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), referenced in the report, marks a landmark effort to measure and address these realities beyond GDP. It recognizes that resilience is social as much as it is economic, shaped by education, health, governance, and inclusion. 

To ensure accountability, the report details the creation of a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework containing 59 targets and 83 indicators across seven thematic areas. These include key social dimensions such as health, education, employment, gender equality, and human security. The framework will guide national planning and UN coordination beginning in 2026, helping to track how social progress underpins economic and environmental resilience. 

As the world looks to Doha, the message from SIDS is clear: resilience begins with inclusion. Strengthening social protection systems, empowering local communities, advancing digital access, and ensuring that no one is left behind are not only moral imperatives—they are the foundation of shared prosperity. By learning from the lived experiences of SIDS, the international community can help chart a more equitable and sustainable future for all, one where the promise of resilient prosperity extends far beyond the shorelines of small islands. 

Read the full report here.