SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES WORKSHOP

Serving Society for the benefit of people and planet; Facing the global challenges in Small Island Developing States: The Role of Land Professionals

26 May 2023 at Signia by Hilton in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face many distinct challenges on their ongoing path towards strong sustainable economic development and getting the most from their rich socio-cultural heritage. All governments face limited resources and staffing. This is especially true for SIDS where the available resources and land are more constrained. Global challenges can exacerbate these already difficult resource allocation decisions. Land management and administration for SIDS must be well organized and part of a broader regional effort in order to meet Societal Development Goals (SDGs), enhance resilience and disaster response. Professional national surveying societies greatly enhance these efforts in Land Management and form the fundamental membership of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG).

FIG has organized several regional forums on the role of land professionals in supporting SIDS in the Pacific, Asia, and Oceania. Participants, professionals, and member states have shared and received valuable knowledge that support the backbone of their social and economic systems. This year, our focus has shifted to the Caribbean where we hope to bring our expertise to the challenges of the region. Many NGO, governmental, and professional organizations are already engaged, and we hope to share our experience while also expanding the base of knowledge to be shared with all SIDS. We aim to ensure that FIG’s efforts supplement and synergize with the currently ongoing work for the betterment of all interested parties and society at large. 

There are many similarities across all Islands states. However, important regional differences of many kinds can play an important role in shaping which tools and methods are most appropriate for successful outcomes.  These can become even more significant at the national level where environmental, societal, cultural, political, institutional, legal, resource, and economic factors are key to achieving best results. The key topics we propose to begin our focus upon will be: 

• The specific context and vulnerabilities for SIDS and their top concerns
  • The specific challenges faced by SIDS in the land sector
  • Resilience in the face of climate change, sea level rise and natural disasters
  • Urbanization in small islands
  • Strategies for influencing government/ ministers
• Challenges for improved land governance.
• UN GGIM’s IGIF, GGRF and other emerging frameworks
  • Country Action Plans and potential World Bank funding 
  • Development of national infrastructure as a part of a regional plan
  • Geodetic Reference Frame for the Americas integrating marine & terrestrial data
• Training opportunities/resources from regional national partners, Private Sector and global NGO’s

Attendance at this event is by invitation only