Launching New Partnerships between Iceland and Caribbean Small Island Developing States
Business and Investment Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development and on Sustainable Management of Fisheries



More than 140 representatives of the Governments of the sixteen small island developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean, the Government of Iceland, regional intergovernmental organizations, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and other UN programmes and agencies, as well as business leaders met for a High-level Roundtable on International Cooperation for Sustainable Development of Caribbean SIDS in Bridgetown, Barbados, during 25 to 27 March 2008.

The roundtable meetings were held in response to a request by the Government of Iceland for DESA to facilitate enhanced development cooperation between Iceland and Caribbean SIDS. The meeting identified areas of mutual interest to increase cooperation, namely in the areas of sustainable use of natural resources, climate change, renewable energy resources, fisheries management, capacity building and the advancement of women.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. SHA Zukang, described the meeting as “an important opportunity to expand inter-regional cooperation, share information and experience, and develop partnerships in a number of key areas of mutual interest.”